Surat: Large-scale protests led by local Congress MLA Mangal Gavit were witnessed in different parts of tribal district Dang over the last few days following a statement made by state’s junior forest minister Raman Patkar.The minister of state had courted controversy by saying that according to an amendment in the law “Hindu tribals who convert to another religion will not be able to claim benefits of any of the 200-odd welfare schemes of the state government.”A video of Patkar telling this to fellow tribals is doing the rounds on social media. He had made the statement during Halpati Gruh Nirman board programme held near Bhilad last week. Patkar had also traded guns on Bhilistan Tiger Sena (BTS), an outfit founded by MLA Chotu Vasava.Protests have been held over past few days at Subir, Ahwa, Pimpri, Javiwada, Dharkhadi and many other parts.When contacted, Patkar said, “...by the new amendment, for the protection of tribal rights, the act was passed by the state assembly recently... under the new law, non-tribals cannot claims rights as tribals under various government schemes. If they are Christian and following Christian religion, there is nothing wrong in that, but one cannot claim to be a tribal and follow Christianity. Our effort is to prevent conversions by missionaries in the name of curing their diseases.”Dang MLA Mangal Gavit said, “People of Dang are hurt by Patkar’s statement. People here are united on this issue and we will give him a befitting reply. This (BJP) government believes in dividing people in the name of religion. People of Dang will reply to BJP during the 2019 elections.”In Dang, nearly 45% population is Christian tribals. In many households, husband and wife are from different religion, but live peacefully.The statement raised eyebrows of not just activists, but also of Patkar’s senior cabinet minister for forests and tribal development Ganpat Vasava.“The Constitution allows tribals to follow any religion. They can not be denied any rights under any law. He (Patkar) seems to have some misunderstanding. The state government has not made any such law. The tribal certificate verification law is only to prevent misuse of tribal certificates by non-tribals to get government jobs.”A social worker Suryakant Gavit from Susarda village, around 14 km from Waghai in Dang, said, “This is irresponsible talk by a minister. When people are converted to Christianity, how can they be denied the rights under tribal programmes of the government? Such statements will divide the society and result in disharmony.”

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