Dang: Religious conversion remains a major concern in the tribal district of Dang, with several alleged attempts being made to convert tribals to Christianity through illegal and unauthorized means. Expressing their dissent, members of the tribal community submitted a memorandum to the District Collector, demanding immediate action to halt such activities.

Dang district has a significant tribal population, and in Subir taluka specifically, not a single person has legally converted to Christianity, according to official records. Despite this, in recent years, certain Christian groups have organized unauthorized seminars, meetings, and fairs with the intent of religious conversion, allegedly violating legal provisions. Local residents claim these events are part of a broader effort to convert as many tribal individuals as possible.

Concerns have also been raised about Christian preachers from outside states visiting villages such as Pandharpada, even though the region falls under the protections of Schedule-5 of the Constitution.

The tribal community submitted the memorandum regarding a religious event held in Junner village on April 28 and another planned for May 5. The complaints allege that visiting pastors, bishops, and preachers are misleading vulnerable tribal populations through superstition and false promises, resulting in unauthorized conversions. The community also demanded that permission for such programs be denied.

Locals have questioned the legitimacy of the event organizers, asking whether they are officially registered Christians and calling for verification of their credentials. They emphasized that the tribal population traditionally follows ancestral customs and rituals, including prayer and offerings rooted in tribal culture.

Earlier, on Wednesday, police detained 10 individuals associated with Agniveer Hindu Sena for attempting to disrupt the three-day Christian event in Junner village that began on April 28, claiming illegal conversions were taking place.

Under current law, any unlawful attempt to convert individuals—especially minors or tribals—can result in imprisonment for up to four years and a fine of ₹1 lakh. The complaint highlights that inducements based on greed, coercion, or social disparity are being used to influence innocent tribals, constituting a serious violation under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act. The tribal community has urged authorities to take strict legal action against those responsible. DeshGujarat