Perception Regarding Conversion and Social Change Among Scheduled Tribes

Abstract

Religion is a matter of life and death. A man does not change religion as he changes his clothes. He takes it with him beyond the grave. But today innumerable people are changing their original religion and converting to other religions. Majority of these are of deprived sections of the society, particularly Dalits and scheduled tribes. Most of the Dalits are embracing to Buddism, where as scheduled tribes embrace to Christianity. In the beginning the tribals, who were despised by the Hindus as uncivilized, very backward group and looked down upon, the Christian missionaries provided with essential educational and medical services, they won over their confidence and affection. The sympathetic understanding shown by the Christian missionaries about the day-to-day problems and coming to their rescue and assistance at times of need has had its impact. Many tribals areas have come under the impact of Christianity more readily than with Hinduism. In many areas the native religious beliefs and practices of the tribals continued hand-in-hand with Christianity.