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The translated version of the
Bible in Kurukh (Oraon) language has been raging controversy for over
one and half month in Ranchi. The non-Christian indigenous tribal community
has taken strong objections to the translation of
Deuteronomy 12:2 on page 230 into Nemha
Bible, in which “sarna mann” meaning green trees is
used in the context of a command of God to destroy
those who worship under green tree. The protesters
accuse the Church of nefarious plan to destroy their
religion because they worship under green trees.
Actually the word sarna in Kurukh
refers to the sacred grove and also popularly used
to identify original adivasi religion.
The community which is trying resurgence of its
indigenous tribal religion finds the command for
destruction, offensive. Their protest has resulted
in street demonstration, burning effigies of the
cardinal and the translators, creation of tribal
religion protection group, demand for punishment for
translators etc. They blame the Christian church for
conspiracy against tribal religion. The controversy
is partly caused by the use of the word “sarna”
which has acquired political connotations in recent
years to mean tribal religion, place of worship for
tribals and also their deity. The right wing Hindu
fundamentalist parties are also using this to
instigate the non-Christian tribals against the
tribal Christians and rule over them. On 19th of
October a rally was organized to oppose Christian
church to divide the tribal
community between Christian and non-Christians. In response to this controversy the
All Churches Committee of Ranchi demonstrated
sensitivity and humility.
All Churches Committee Ranchi, along with the Bible
Society of India, Ranchi Auxiliary, called a press
conference on September 23, 2008 and offered a public apology for
inadvertently hurting the
sentiments. of Adivasi people.
They also promised to remove the controversial word
from the Bible. The leaders of the churches realized
the dangers of anti-Christian groups taking undue
advantage of this controversy for violence and
hence, they started contacting the leaders of the
tribal community to explain to them about this
translation. In order to reassure the opposing
community the church leaders again issued a press
release to apologize and also to tell that the Bible
has been corrected.
Some prominent leaders from
Christian and non-Christian
tribal community came forward for reconciliation. In October
06, 08 and 10, 2008 a number of leaders
arrived at some understanding and
reiterated that it was important for betterment of
the indigenous tribal community matters such as this
should not be allowed to be politicized.
Detail report of the above meeting in hindi.
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