Church's coward work against SC/ST and Hinduism in India

Introduction

India, a land of ancient traditions and diverse cultures, faces a persistent threat from external forces seeking to undermine its social fabric. Among these, the Christian Church, with its history of colonial-era missionary activities, has long targeted India's Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Under the guise of social upliftment, the Church perpetuates a covert agenda of conversion, cultural erosion, and anti-Hindu propaganda. This article exposes how the Church exploits vulnerable SC/ST communities while systematically attacking Hinduism, posing a threat to India's unity and heritage.

Historical Context: Colonial Roots of Exploitation 

The Church's presence in India is inextricably linked to European colonialism. Missionaries arrived under the protection of British rule, targeting marginalized groups like SC/STs who faced caste-based oppression. Rather than empowering these communities, missionaries used education and healthcare as tools to proselytize, fostering dependency and severing ties to indigenous traditions. The colonial "civilizing mission" framed Hinduism as backward, creating a narrative that equated conversion with progress. This legacy persists today, with the Church positioning itself as a savior while perpetuating a colonial mindset of cultural superiority.

Conversion Tactics: Exploitation Masked as Empowerment 

Modern missionary strategies continue to prey on SC/ST vulnerabilities. Offering material incentives—education, jobs, healthcare—the Church lures economically disadvantaged groups into conversion, often without transparency. For instance, tribal areas in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and the Northeast have seen aggressive evangelism, with promises of societal acceptance contradicted by the reality of post-conversion life. Reports from NGOs like the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti highlight cases where converts, after renouncing Hinduism, find themselves alienated from reservation benefits and government schemes, leaving them doubly marginalized.

Casteism Within the Church: Hypocrisy of Equality 

Despite preaching egalitarianism, the Indian Church remains deeply divided by caste. Dalit Christians face systemic discrimination, denied leadership roles and relegated to segregated worship spaces. A 2016 study by the National Council of Churches revealed that over 70% of clergy positions in major denominations are held by upper-caste converts, while Dalit Christians struggle for representation. This hypocrisy exposes the Church's failure to practice the equality it preaches, revealing conversion as a hollow promise for SC/ST communities.

Anti-Hindu Propaganda: Cultural Erasure 

The Church's disdain for Hinduism manifests in relentless propaganda that demonizes Hindu practices. Missionaries often vilify festivals like Diwali or Holi as "idolatrous," while Christian institutions in Kerala and Goa have been accused of discouraging students from wearing traditional attire or bindis. Such efforts aim to erode cultural pride, particularly among tribal groups with syncretic Hindu traditions. The Vatican’s 1999 document Dominus Iesus, which declares non-Christian faiths "gravely deficient," underscores this theological imperialism, fueling disrespect for India’s spiritual heritage.

Foreign Funding and Political Interference 

A significant portion of missionary activity is bankrolled by foreign organizations, with groups like the US-based Gospel for Asia funneling millions into conversion campaigns. Such funding raises concerns about sovereignty, as external actors manipulate India’s demographic balance. The Church’s opposition to anti-conversion laws in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh further reveals its intent to continue unchecked proselytization. Political alliances with left-leaning parties amplify this agenda, using SC/ST votes as a pawn to fragment Hindu unity.

Impact on SC/ST: Alienation and Loss of Identity 

Conversion disrupts the social cohesion of SC/ST communities. Tribal groups like the Gonds and Santhals, who historically revered local deities, are pressured to abandon ancestral customs. Post-conversion, many find themselves caught between two worlds—ostracized by Hindu society yet unwelcome in caste-stratified Christian circles. Worse, converts lose access to SC/ST reservation benefits, as India’s Constitution recognizes caste-based quotas only for Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists. The Church’s silence on this legal nuance highlights its disregard for genuine upliftment.

The Right-Wing Call to Action 

India’s right-wing movement, rooted in cultural preservation, must counter the Church’s divisive tactics. Strengthening anti-conversion laws, monitoring foreign NGOs, and promoting Hindu unity through grassroots education are critical steps. Organizations like the Vishva Hindu Parishad have already spearheaded re-conversion initiatives (Ghar Wapsi), reintegrating disillusioned Christians into Hindu society. Simultaneously, addressing caste discrimination within Hinduism is vital to negate the Church’s exploitative narrative.

Conclusion

The Church’s agenda in India is not one of compassion but conquest—a war waged on the nation’s spiritual and cultural frontiers. By exploiting SC/ST vulnerabilities and vilifying Hinduism, it seeks to fragment the world’s oldest civilization. For India to thrive, its people must reject this neocolonial evangelism, champion Hindu unity, and ensure that SC/ST communities are empowered without surrendering their heritage. The time has come to unmask the Church’s propaganda and reclaim India’s destiny as a proud, sovereign, and Hindu nation.