Christian converts ostracised in Andhra Pradesh village
From our correspondent
Seven families belonging to the fishing community at Kottasathram village in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh have been ostracised by the village elders for embracing the Christian faith.
They have been treated as outcasts for the last 18 months for the sole reason of embracing the Christian faith and also for refusing to take part in the Srirama Navami festival at the local temple in August 2004.
While four members of the family of Katamgari Mangamma have not been permitted to step into the village after their conversion, the other six families have been asked to leave the village.
Mangamma says she was not able to donate money for the temple festival because her husband’s death had left her a pauper. “I was unable to run my family and decided to convert on the advice of some of my neighbours. I wanted to make a living with the blessings of Jesus Christ,” she says.
The village elders however say only those offering prayers to Lord Ram would be allowed to stay on in the village. The decision soon spread and the villagers were warned not to have any dealing with the converted families. As there was no other go, the converted families left the village and constructed huts in a forest land one and a half km away.
However the villagers destroyed the tube-well dug by the families. They also reportedly persuaded the forest officials to destroy the huts built on the forest land. This left the families with a roof over their heads.
“We have no idea what we should do now. The faith is something very personal. Why are the villagers so cruel, I don’t understand? Is there no administration to come to our aid?” one of the converts asks in desperation.