The forces behind this are by now well known. BJP and its comrades in various fronts are parties to these events one way or another. The allegations against religious conversions, such as in Gujarat, have clearly come from either the knowingly corrupt tribal leaders or isolated Sarvodayis like Chunibhai Vaidya. But these can always be struck down by thousands and millions of tribals who know they are neither Hindus to be converted nor Muslims but free to accept any faith, ideology, religious followings. They are much removed from the fundamentalist immorality and violence as also from the petty politics. Sarvodayi leaders truly following the Gandhian path in his Gujarat and across the country and the world can also counter misuse of their name and following. But who will counter the vicious elements of hatred spread and inculcated in the civil society at large by Bajrang Dal and such type of fundamentalist aggressive groups in Hindus as well as other religions?
All of us, people's organisations and alliances within civil society must come forward to take up the challenge through the power of non-violence and peace, power of people. We must strongly demand, in the immediate context, a white paper on Bajrang Dal itself and put the Centre to test on its impartial, patriotic stance.
Medha Patkar
National Convenor
National Alliance Of People's Movements