Villagers approach Govt protesting illegal religious conversion activities

Kim: Residents of Dungra village in Kamrej taluka of Surat district have submitted a written representation to the Surat District Collector and Superintendent of Police demanding strict action over alleged illegal religious conversion activities and encroachment on government-allotted tribal land.

The complaint was submitted by Jagubhai Somabhai Rathod, a resident of Dungra New Colony Halpativas, who has alleged that a man identified as Nayan Od has been targeting members of the Halpati and tribal communities in the area for the past several years.

According to the representation, the accused allegedly spread superstition among innocent tribal residents by claiming to cure illnesses and offering various inducements and temptations. The complainant has claimed that more than 25 families were allegedly converted from their original faith to Christianity through deception and misleading practices.

The representation further states that the activities have posed a threat to the traditional customs and natural worship practices followed by the Halpati tribal community for generations, including rituals related to marriage and death ceremonies. Villagers have also alleged that such actions are creating division within society and disturbing social harmony in the area.

Apart from the conversion allegations, the complaint also raises the issue of alleged land grabbing. According to the petitioners, a piece of land bearing Survey No. 73-AA, originally allotted by the government to tribal resident Jinabhai Bhanabhai alias Kikabhai Rathod for residential purposes, has been illegally occupied.

Residents have demanded that the land be restored to the original beneficiary and that strict legal action be initiated against the accused under the provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act and other relevant laws.

No official statement has yet been issued by the district administration or police regarding the allegations. DeshGujarat