Religious groups trying to get Banjaras to shun Hinduism, allege seers, leaders

VIJAYAPURA: A fresh controversy is brewing the Vijayapura and some other districts of north Karnataka where certain groups are allegedly targeting the Banjara tribal community by going into the thandas and telling them that they do not belong to the Hindu fold.

Stung by the recent developments, community leaders and religious heads of the Banjaras are now creating awareness among the tribals and making efforts to stop them from converting to another religion.

Ravi, a community leader, claims that some groups are targeting Banjaras and advising them to stop worship of Hindu gods.

Ravi, a leader of the Banjara community, said, “Some groups are entering the thandas of the Banjara community, and are stopping them from worshiping Hindu gods. They are telling the people that the practices and customs of the Banjaras do not come under Hinduism and that we are not Hindus. They are telling us that Sevalal is the only god for Banjaras and misleading the community. Banjaras are an integral part of Hindu faith. We will fight against them and will uproot those evil powers”.

Banjara community seer Somalinga Swami said they are bringing back converted Banjaras to the original community.

Somalinga Swami, a religious leader of the community, said, “The Banjaras are a great community. Now the leaders and pontiffs of the Banjara community have already started a movement to bring back those who have converted. We are visiting thandas to create awareness among them. We have been practicing Hindu culture and customs from centuries and we should not give it up. Banjara is a part of Hindu religion. We will not allow Banjaras to be separated from Hindu religion. Many thandas were converted to other religions after luring people with money. This type of religious conversion is seen more in Dharwad, Hubballi and Davanagere. But we are convincing the community and bringing them back our fold through Ghar Vapsi.”