Amid lots of disturbances in Khunti and adjoining areas the BJP has put blame on the Christian missionaries for supporting patthalgari in different parts of the State, especially in Khunti. The party feels that church and its supporters are feeling pressure due to the religious freedom Bill brought into force by the Government.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday party’s MlA from Kijri Ram Kumar Pahan who also happens to be chief of the BJP’s Scheduled Tribes wing for Jharkhand blamed the missionaries directly for the entire hullabaloo.
“Patthalgari at Khunti is the contribution of Christian missionaries. They are baffled ever since the Government has brought the religious freedom Bill which was to protect religion, custom and traditions of tribal in the State. They want to continue with the misdeeds like divide and rule and mass level exploitation done by the Britishers when they were ruling the country. It was Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sido-Kanhu, Telanga Khadia, Jatra Tana Bhagat who fought against the oppression and made tribals free from the clutches of foreigners but still the Christian missioners are willing to continue with that,” said Pahan.
He explained that the Bill has been brought to prevent illegal and forceful conversions in rural areas taking place in lieu of money and allurements of different kinds while luring simple tribals. Referring to the Khunti gang rape Pahan rapped Father Alphanso for hatching the conspiracy and alleged that he managed to save sisters from the tormentors but left the other girls on their own fate.
“He even threatened the girls to keep quite or face the consequences. This clearly shows it was the Father who in connivance with patthalgari supporters committed the act. The forces even attacked guards of MP Karia Munda and mistreated with his family members,” added Pahan demanding tough action against those involved.
The MlA at the same time also pulled up Opposition parties for rallying behind the Father but not speaking up for bringing those involved into the heinous crime to the book.