Tapi: Uchhal, a village in Tapi, is inhabited by tribals, with not a single Christian registered in government records. However, activists of Dev Birsa Sena Uchhal submitted a petition to the Mamlatdar on Tuesday, alleging that seminars, various programs, meetings, and fairs are being repeatedly organized by some Christian groups in the taluka to convert people to Christianity.

The petition states that every area of Uchhal taluka in Tapi district has a tribal population. Although government records do not list a single person as having legally converted to Christianity, for the past few years, seminars, programs, meetings, and fairs have been frequently organized by some Christian groups to carry out illegal religious conversions. The petition questions how Christian preachers from different states can enter Uchhal taluka under Schedule 5 regulations.

The petition further demands that those attending tribal churches should be officially recognized as legal Christians. It also calls for an investigation into whether Christian leaders applying for permission and security for prayer meetings, congregational prayers, and sisters’ seminars are officially registered in government records. The tribals of Uchhal have followed their traditions and customs since time immemorial. If the authorities fail to act against such alleged illegal activities, Dev Birsa Sena has warned of launching a movement to protect tribal traditions and culture. DeshGujarat