[Editor's note: We are not surprised by this news and have heard of similar events in the past. Reader's should think about the following: The violence by upper caste Christians must be condemed. We also believe that this behavior is not practiced by the majority of the church in India, and, most important, the teachings of Jesus on which the church is based are very clear: there is no caste since all are created equal in the image of God. Second, many times "conversion" ceremonies are a political event intended for publicity more than transforming lives and helping the downtrodden. At the same time, Dalit Christians may want to continue worshipping Jesus but feel they must be officially "Hindu" if they are to survive. Why? Because, in the places where the church hasn't helped Dalit Christians grow economically -- and since the government refuses to give benefits to Dalit Christians and only Dalit Sikhs, Buddhists, and Hindus -- many Dalits face continued impoverishment. Thus, it is natural for them to "re-convert" in order to provide for their families.]

Chennai: A thousand members who belong to Dalit Christian community will officially get reconverted into Hinduism on 14 April 2008 in Tirunelveli town in a colourful function being organized by the Hindu Monks Tamil Nadu Council.

This event gains significance in the backdrop the police shootout on 9 March 2008 in which two people were killed when clashes broke out between the members of upper caste Catholics and Dalit Catholics.

Hindu Makkal Katchi (HMK) president Arjun Sampath said: "185 families of Dalit Christians will formally return to Hinduism. All of them hail from the interior villages of Tirunelveli district. This event is being organised on the occasion of Ambedkar’s birthday."

HMK had earlier tried to hold the event at Nellayappar temple in Tirunelveli. However, the HR&CE department which governs the temple refused permission saying the temple premises could not be used for such purposes.

"So, we’re now holding the function at Nellai Sangeetha Sabha - which is a private hall," Arjun said. It is learned the function will start with a ganapathi homam and would be followed by prayaschitha yagam (atonement ritual) and sudhi chadangu (purification rite). "We’ll purify all those who return to Hinduism by sprinkling ‘ganga theertha’ and ‘sethu theertha.’ We’ve specially brought waters from Rameshwaram Sea and the Ganges for this purpose," Arjun said and added all of them would also be bestowed with holy Hindu names.

Further, those who want to follow Saiva cult would be given bhasmam (sacred ash) and a string of rudraksha while the vaishnavite converts would be given namam (tilak) and a string of tulsi. The Dalit Christians who return to Hindu fold would also be given a mantra deeksha (formal initiation) both in Sanskrit and Tamil.

HMK has also engaged the services of several notaries who would be present during the re-conversion function. "The members who return to Hindu fold will take an oath before them and sign affidavits. Later, we’ll get the conversion certificates from Arya Samaj to get their names changed in the gazette," Arjun said.

Depending on the success of this re-conversion, HMK also plans to re-convert 20,000 Christians in Villupuram district. "We’ll take it up in August 2008," Arjun said.

India has a total 24 million Christian population. Of this Dalit Christians constitute 15 million while tribal Christians account for three million.

In Tamil Nadu, Dalit Christians complain of discrimination at the hands of upper caste Christians. They have separate burial grounds and seating arrangements.

(Source: The Times of India, 13 April 2008)