‘Rewakening’ event worries Indian Christians

GUJARAT STATE, India — A number of key Christian leaders recently called on the Indian government to ban or strictly supervise a massive Hindu “reawakening” event to be held in the tribal district of Dangs, Gujarat state, Feb. 11–13. At least 500,000 Hindus are expected to attend. Rights groups fear the event may unleash a wave of violence against tribal Christians and animists. Hindu extremist groups have organized the event and expect it to generate enough momentum to trigger thousands of Christians to turn “back to the Hindu fold.” They have also published materials calling for the destruction of the Christian faith in the same way that the Hindu god Ram destroyed the demon Ravana in the Hindu scriptures.