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 Jhabua continues to be in the news, not for being the most backward district in India, but for the heinous crimes committed against Christian nuns and priests working for the welfare of the economically poor tribals in the district. Some time ago, a few tribal youth attacked and molested three nuns, whose only fault was their selfless service for the same tribals. This followed a violent attack on a Christian priest who worked relentlessly for the betterment of the tribals.
Emboldened by the inaction of the law-enforcing agencies which preferred to look the other way, the miscreants set fire to Don Bosco School and a couple of other educational institutions belonging to Christian missionaries in Alirajpur of Jhabua district. While Don Bosco School was completely burned down, other schools suffered heavy losses, as their doors and windows were broken down and valuables destroyed. They also set fire to the house belonging to a Christian family right near the police station in Aamkhut area. Call it a travesty of justice, that the victims of violence, numbering about twenty Adivasi Christians along with some Catholic priests, were taken into custody without any proof. Incredible though, the representatives of the communal forces pitched a tent in front of the church in Alirajpur and organised a dharna, protesting against the alleged “involvement” of the priests in the crime. They also shouted slogans like “Christian missionaries, murdabad!” Fearing for their lives in this atmosphere of hate, coupled with the inaction of the authorities concerned, the Adivasi Christians reportedly escaped into the forest in large numbers. Based on the representations made by the aicc and other Christian organisations, the National Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh, and the district collector, Jhabua. Meanwhile, Christians of all denominatons are trying to come together under the banner of the aicc to keep the anti-Christian forces away. It is indeed time to stand together and pray together. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers with it. It is time for us to rise as one body and fight the divisive forces.
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