Kawardha (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 21 (ANI): Around 200 people, including a pastor who allegedly used to organise religious conversion in forest villages of Chhattisgarh’s Kawardha district, returned to their “original faith” during a cultural and religious programme organised in Buchipara village under the Pandariya Assembly constituency, said BJP MLA Bhawna Bohra.
The programme, organised for the “Ghar Wapasi” of these tribals under the leadership of Bohra, witnessed participation from tribal families belonging to villages Chhirha, Piparha, Kulhidongri, Jamunpani, Nagadbara and Navapara at the Cultural Pride Conference and Felicitation Ceremony, which was held as part of an awareness campaign focused on cultural identity, tribal traditions and social unity in the forest regions of the constituency.
During the programme on Thursday, tribal families were welcomed with traditional customs and rituals. MLA Bhawna Bohra also honoured members of the tribal community by washing their feet, and participated in ceremonies marking their return to their original faith.
Addressing the gathering, Bohra said, “Today the identity of Pandariya Assembly constituency is being shaped not only by development works, but also by the protection of its cultural heritage and religious values.”
Bohra claimed that organised attempts had earlier been made in forest areas to encourage religious conversions. “For years, planned efforts were made in the forest regions to carry out religious conversions, which worked to weaken the traditions and cultural identity of the tribal community. But now society is becoming aware and returning to its culture and original faith,” she said.
Bohra further stated that development initiatives undertaken in tribal and forest areas had strengthened public trust and encouraged people to reconnect with their traditions. “With increasing roads, education, hostels, drinking water, health services and employment opportunities in the forest regions, the tribal community’s trust in the government has become stronger,” she added.
She described the return of the 200 tribal community members in Buchipara as “a campaign for cultural self-respect, social unity and protection of identity.”
According to organisers, similar programmes had previously been conducted in villages around Neur, Kui-Kukdur, Damgarh and Kulhidongri, where several tribal families had also returned to their original faith.
Senior social worker Harish Luniya, who also addressed the gathering, appreciated the efforts being made for the preservation of tribal culture and traditions in the region.
Community leader Panchram Dhurve said the tribal community was becoming increasingly aware and united for the protection of its culture and identity.
Earlier, 115 tribal people from villages around the Neur forest region, 70 from the Kui-Kukdur area, 50 from Damgarh village and 140 from Kulhidongri village had also returned to their original faith. In total, more than 575 people from the tribal community in the Pandariya Assembly constituency have returned to their original religion, organisers claimed. (ANI)