Attappadi, the land of tribal malnutrition and infant deaths, is now largely being targeted by spiritual groups who woo the illiterate and impoverished tribal folks through a number of freebies.
In the guise of charity efforts, Christian missionaries have been exploiting the poverty-stricken background of the tribal folks for long. The pastors often visit even the remotest of areas in jeeps, and distribute food and milk. Those who accept the freebies would be asked to join their prayers, said Maruthi, secretary of Thaikula Sangham, an organisation of tribal women in Attappadi.
“At Keeripathiyoor, the missionaries dug a pond on condition that only those who are ready to convert would be allowed to use it. And many did,” she said.
Moreover, the pastors often intervene in the rich traditional customs and beliefs of the tribals that are very much rooted to nature. “Recently, the missionaries forcefully buried a tribesman in Vattilakki ooru as per Christian customs despite protests from local people,” she alleged, and added that a Christian denomination has been using tribal youth as ambassadors for conversion through a cultural organisation in the guise of protecting tribal art forms.
The pastors, however, claim that they have only charitable intentions.
“The converted families here are leading a decent life,” an IPC pastor, who preferred anonymity, said.
“It is difficult to conduct anti-liquor campaigns among the tribals as boozing is customary during their festivals or marriages. A new lifestyle can only stop the severe prevalence of alcoholism among them,” the pastor said.