PATNA: The conversion of a sizeable population to Christianity in a poor Bihar settlement has sparked a political debate, with the main Opposition bloc attributing the trend to the government’s “neglect” towards uplifting communities.
The ruling JD(U) claimed the news from Buxar district was being “unnecessarily politicised”, while the local administration said it received no complaints about the conversion.
According to reports last week, some 500 people of Khapdaila locality in remote Chaugai village “opted to embrace Christianity” over the last four months. The predominantly Mahadalit hamlet has a population of 1,200 people.
Buxar district magistrate Raman Kumar said initial probe suggested that “some families” in Chaugai embraced Christianity. “No one compelled them to convert; nobody has lodged any complaint. We are probing the matter ,” he said. “The conversion has not happened abruptly. The process was on for last four to five years.”
Leaders of the BJP-led NDA said the conversion exposed the“hollow love” of the Grand Alliance government for the Mahadalits.
JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar accepted that “some people” had converted to Christianity “out of poverty”, but added, “Leaders of the NDA are trying to politicise a social issue.”
{{/usCountry}}JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar accepted that “some people” had converted to Christianity “out of poverty”, but added, “Leaders of the NDA are trying to politicise a social issue.”
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