Conspiracy to Convert Tribals, BAP Leaders Misleading People in Jharkhand: Sunny Toppo Oraon

Udaipur: National tribal youth activists Sunny Toppo Oraon and Vikas Oraon, who have been actively opposing the activities of missionaries and their agents allegedly involved in religious conversions in Jharkhand, claimed that a massive conspiracy is underway across Jharkhand and other parts of the country to convert tribals to Christianity.

They also accused Rajasthan’s BAP Party leader Rajkumar Rot and his associates of being involved in this conspiracy. According to them, Rot and his team are visiting Jharkhand and attempting to mislead local tribals, while also inviting minor leaders from Jharkhand to the Vagad region to confuse the tribals of Rajasthan.

During a press conference in Udaipur on Thursday, the visiting tribal activists said they would spend the next five days in the Vagad region—covering Dungarpur, Banswara, Sagwara, and neighbouring areas—where they will work to awaken tribal youth and expose the activities allegedly carried out by BAP MP Rajkumar Rot and his associates in Jharkhand.

They claimed that Rot and his leaders are spreading misinformation in Jharkhand by saying that tribals are not Hindus, which they believe is an attempt to encourage religious conversion. “Tribals have been Hindus for centuries, and they will remain Hindus,” said Sunny Toppo Oraon. “We will not allow Rot or his leaders to succeed in this mission.”

He further stated that the revered tribal icon Birsa Munda himself wore the sacred janeu (holy thread), showing journalists a picture as proof. They also displayed images of many temples in Jharkhand, asserting that tribals have worshipped deities for generations and continue to do so today.

They alleged that Rot has been bringing insignificant Jharkhand leaders—who received fewer than 500 votes in elections—to the Vagad region to mislead innocent tribals. “When such leaders were ignored in Jharkhand, they are now trying to influence the tribals of Mewar and Vagad,” they said.

Sunny Toppo Oraon added that the attempt to convert tribals to Christianity is part of an international strategy. “Tribals are simple by nature, and they are being converted through allurements and inducements,” he claimed. According to him, out of 26% tribal population in Jharkhand, nearly 14% have already been converted to Christianity.

The activists said they aim to create a strong group of tribal youth in Mewar–Vagad who will stand against religious conversion. “We must protect the heritage handed down by our ancestors, including our temples,” they added.

They also expressed support for the Delisting Movement, stating that those who have left the tribal religion and adopted other faiths should no longer receive tribal benefits. “This movement originated in Jharkhand, and we fully support it,” said Oraon.

Concluding their remarks, they said they are not afraid of BAP leaders in the region. “It is necessary to reveal the truth about leaders like Rajkumar Rot to the tribals here. We are ready to face any challenge for this cause.”