Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday said that the religious conversion happening among tribal communities in Assam caused dilution of their traditional beliefs and practices.
The chief minister was addressing an event organised to distribute aid for organizations working for preserving and promoting indigenous tribal beliefs and cultures, when he touched upon the issue of conversion, NDTV reported.
As per this 18 organisations will get Rs 10 lakh each and ₹ 5 lakh each to 73 places of worship for indigenous and tribals, and ₹ 2 crore the Garchuk-based All Bathou Mahasabha.
Sarma said no one should take advantage and convert tribal communities through deceit, adding that his government is committed to protecting tribal cultures.
Although the Article 25 of the Constitution gives the right to practice, profess and propagate a religion, it does not authorize religious conversion through allurement, he said.
The trend of religious conversion among many indigenous and tribal communities in Assam diluted their traditional beliefs and practices, he said.
The practice has caused near extinction of many indigenous beliefs and cultures across the world, the chief minister added.