RSS chief Sudarshan condemns Christian missionaries on conversion issue

Ranchi, Nov. 4, 2004 – Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) supremo, K.S. Sudarshan has criticized Christian missionaries for allegedly trying to convert tribals.

Addressing a conclave of tribal students in this city, K.S. Sudarshan on 28th October condemned the missionaries for apparently claiming that they were the only ones working among the poverty–stricken tribal communities.

In the rest of his speech, however, Sudarshan chose to concentrate on the need to strengthen the educational system in tribal areas.

The RSS supremo spoke after inaugurating a program at the Birsa Munda stadium. Chief Ministers Arjun Munda of Jharkhand, Babulal Gaur of Madhya Pradesh and Raman Singh of Chhattigarh also addressed the students.

The four–day function has been organized by Vidya Bharati, an RSS–affiliated organization, and around 17,000 tribal students from all over India are taking part in it. It ends Saturday.

The students presented folk dances, played tribal instruments, wore tribal dresses, and made handicrafts from bamboo and clay. Many were heard reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu prayer song.

Sudarshan had also appealed to Maoist guerrillas to give up violence and embrace peace. He praised Vidya Bharati for doing a "commendable job" of spreading education among "the deprived class".