BJP attacks Christian Missionaries for misleading tribals by erecting statue

Ranchi: The BJP has attacked the Christian Missionaries of the state for once again trying to mislead the people in Khunti area by now indulging in ‘Statuegadi’ (erecting of a statue) of German missionary John Baptist Hoffman branding him as a champion of the tribals. Hoffman was a German Missionary in India who worked among the Munda tribes of the state in the 1890s.

Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here BJP MLA and president of ST Morcha of Jharkhand Ramkumar Pahan said recently  December 8) the Christian Missionaries in Khunti erected the statue of Hoffman describing him as a well-wisher of tribals who was responsible for giving them the CNT and SPT Acts. Mr Pahan said that that the CNT and SPT Acts were made by the Britishers due to the agitation of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. He said that the party strongly condemns the new acts of the missionaries who are once again trying to mislead the people.

The MLA said that at no cost the foreign religions will be allowed to flourish in the state and accused the churches of looting the land of the poor and innocent tribals in the name of building schools and other religious institutions. He also lauded the state government for deciding to set up a tribal commission in the state which would be helpful in solving the problems being faced by the tribals of Jharkhand.

Mr Pahan said that the present government was first to announce honorary funds for traditional tribal heads including Gram Pradhans Mundas Manki Dakua who are responsible for maintaining the traditional practices. He said that as announced earlier the party will collect the task of collection of mud from the villages of the martyrs from January 9 which would be taken to Old Jail premises where the statue of not only Bhagwan Birsa Munda but also other great men including Sidhu Kanhu, Chand Bhairav, Veer Budhu Bhagat and Telanga Khariya would be erected.