Kandhamal: Majority Christians from Dalit families

Kandhamal, which has been the center of anti–Christian violence in the country, consists of majority Christians from Dalit families, those regarded as untouchables or low caste.

According to the district collectorate in the state, the region has seen a 66 per cent growth in Christian population and the majority consists of Dalits.

"The Christian growth rate in the district is 66 per cent as against 18.6 per cent for the overall population growth in the district," District Collector Krishan Kumar told IANS.

Of the over 6,50,000 people in the troubled district, at least 53 per cent are tribals, less than 20 percent Christians. Of the nearly 1,18,000 Christians, a majority has converted from Dalit families.

The violence since August 23, following the murder of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati, killed dozens of Christians and rendered thousands homeless. Their homes and properties were burnt by Hindu hardliners, threatening them to reconvert to Hinduism.

Over 62 people have so far registered complaints of forced reconversion to Hinduism.

Kandhas and Panas are the original inhabitants of Kandhamal. While Kandhas are a scheduled tribe (ST), Panas are scheduled caste (SC), now mostly converted to Christianity.