Tribals accuse Christians of taking over a temple

Tapi, Gujarat: Janjati (Tribal) Suraksha Gujarat (JSG) alleged that Christians have taken over the Gidhmadi Aya temple, and the organisation demanded the Tapi district administration to intervene and return the temple back, IANS reported.

JSG, a sister organisation of the Hindu front, alleged that those who control the temple, located on Nana Bandharpada hills in Amba group village panchayat, now are not allowing them to pray there and perform rituals.

Songadh Police Inspector N.S. Chauhan told reporters, "On October 1, Hindu priests had gone to the Gidhmadi Aya temple to conduct prayers, but the locals opposed it. The moment it was noticed, a police team was deployed to ensure that there was no breach of law and order. Then we had to convince both parties to disperse."

After this, JSG's Prant president Dinesh Gamit approached the district collector along with a delegation of tribal leaders and priests. He submitted a memorandum and demanded the collector's intervention in the matter.

The delegation alleged that Christians renamed the temple to "Mariam Temple" and placed a Holy Cross there.

Gamit said that his organisation, along with tribes and priests, will go to the temple premises on the upcoming Sunday and perform rituals as per their beliefs. It will be the responsibility of the police and local administration to ensure that law and order are maintained, and tribes are allowed to conduct prayers as per their rituals in the Gidhmadi aya temple, he said, threatening that any untoward incidents occurring there will be the local administration's responsibility.