District Bilaspur

Chairman introduced the members of the committee and explained the purpose of the enquiry and the committee�s visit.

Shri Verma, Advocate: Missionaries do three things mainly-conversion by inducements of treatment in hospital, financial help, and taking advantage of the conditions of ignorant people, scheduled caste people.  Dr. Sukhanandonji has been converted and he has become successful because of his conversion and the facilities given by Christians.  Expression of wealth is shown in Dr. Sukhanandanji. It is not an expression of religion.  Stress is laid on female education cause thereby anti-national culture is spread in the homes.  When there was English Raj, there was worship of English.  Now that they have gone, the missions worship American Government.  The missions in this district are all American. �When you were hungry, America used to give food and also now it gives money for development of your country�, say the missionaries.  They also say that Indian leaders don t accept arms, otherwise Indians could also have been armed as Pakistanis. I have certain letters published by the Gass Memorial of Raipur. I will give the issue to the committee.  In that issue it is asked where Christians should go ultimately? There must be a Raj of their own.  Where there is majority ff them in the neighbouring districts, they openly demand a Raj for themselves.  They do all this with the financial support received by them from America. All are Christians in their institutions.  In Sawra school (Pendra Road), there was a Hindu (Brahmin) teacher.  He started Ramayana classes in the school, because the District Inspector of School had made a remark that all should have free access to religion they like.

Shri Mishra: I joined service after passing F.A. in 1951 when District Inspector, Mr. Mehta, remarked that Bible class is not compulsory for all and that those who wish to attend Ramayana and Geeta, should be given that teaching.  Bible was compulsory for all. I was removed from service on the ground that I was an untrained teacher after serving there for 20 years. My juniors were sent for training. I will send their names and can also identify the persons.  When I wrote to the authorities that I would file a suit against them, I was given Rs. 1,300. I used to teach Hindi, History and Geography.

Shri Maqbul Massih: His work was not satisfactory.  There were regular reports of his coming late to school.

Miss Shah: I was in the school for four years from 1936 to 1940.  The teacher was not maintaining good discipline.  He was kept in the school, because the authorities wanted to keep some Hindu teacher.

Shri Verma: A popular school principal of the mission school wanted that there should be no competitive school in Bilaspur, but the municipal committee opened a school.  The principal created several obstacles in the way of the school with the help of the inspecting staff and Government officers, who were Europeans.  I had to go myself to get recognition of the school in 1942 from Government.

Shri Ramkrishna Pandye: Arya Dharma Seva Sangh opened 10 hospitals and 25 primary schools in 1945 with the object of counteracting Christian religion and spreading Arya Samaj.  Mr. Franklin, present D.P.I., issued a secret circular saying that no Government officer should inspect the schools or hold examinations.  I was at the same time asked to get the school recognised, but I did not care for that as I did not like to get myself bound to certain rules of Government.  My boys could get admission to middle schools on their ability being tested by headmasters of the schools.  This is admissible under the Education Manual.

Trimbakrao, Pleader: The object of missionaries in converting people is to destroy their religion, and to denationalise them.  They also spread the spirit of inferiority complex.  People became Christians during famine times, not by conviction but to answer the call of their belly.  The motive may look religious, but really speaking their motive is political. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur was brought by local missionaries.  A Central Minister should not do like this.

Shri Verma: Miss Elliot, an American, was the principal of the Burgess Memorial School in 1949.  She did not grant holiday and observe 15th August.  Two Hindu girls reported the matter to their parents.  They informed important persons here like Dr. Rai, President of the municipal committee. On making a reference to Miss Elliot, she replied that their school was governed by the American Council. Her reply and papers in this connection are available in D.S.E.�s office and the school office. This may be a case of 1948 or 1949.  Dr. Roy played a trick and indirectly compelled Miss Elliot to take part in the functions by declaring a holiday.

A girl: Through some mistake and misunderstanding, the holiday was not declared in the morning.  But this was declared in the evening.  All the correspondence is in the school and in the Inspector�s office.

Kashiram Tiwari:  My daughter was learning in Miss Mahanti�s school.  I changed the school to Burgess Mission High School.  There was non-Christian teachers in certain mission schools.  Rev. H. R. Ferger of Calcutta, Mr. Maqbul Massih and Myself were together. American money has started denationalising us.  American missionaries spend money ant Indians do prachar. In Marwahi tract a Marwari�s son was ill. Doctor demanded Rs. 100, but the missionaries helped him.  In Takhatpur there was cholera. Nobody came to help.  The missionaries rendered help.

Ladharam, President, Arya Samaj, Bilaspur: There was no Christian in Surguja before 1947.  Conversions go on with the aid of American money.  When I was travelling in a lorry, a girl spoke that she got saree, sandals and good dress on conversion. Her friends were from Baitalpur.  Nawalram, and Arya Samajist from Sindh, said that his wife became ill in 1951. No action was taken in the hospital.  Missionary hospital gave good medicine and she was cured.  My wife wanted to go to sing bhajan and she asked me, but I did not allow her as I did not like it.

Uttalwar of P.S.P.: Several lakhs of rupees came from America within four months. Two lakhs in Takhatpur for rural development.  This can be verified from post offices.  When some help was asked by others, they were informed that their rural development was different. 4 new churches have been constructed.  In the name of social education, huge sums are given.  In obstruction cases in Takhatpur, water is given.  In Kewatdandri, Ratiram�s son has been Christianed.  Money is advanced without interest with special attention to satnamis, and advantage of their scheduled castes is taken.  Christians helped Ratiram�s son in litigation, and now he has been converted.  In Lata also, similar things happen. Quarrels are deliberately created and litigation is done. In Suman Khetan, Mowhadi and Koylani, boys are tempted. Oone of the victims is son of Bitandas.  His name is Bijhuram and another is Ramdin kachhi.

Rev. Gurbachansingh: Sardar Diwansingh has written an article. We have not written any article. It has been simply reproduced. My children�s names are Panjabis.  My name is Panjabi. I will send the article to the committee.

Girls�s School: 250 students in all. Results are always more than 90 per cent.  There is a hall with pictures of Hindu Gods where Hindu girls can pray.  There are 27 non-christians in the boarding.  Mostly outside girls reside who are Christian. Local girls are almost Hindus.

Hospital: There is a small church in the hospital.  Every day prayers are offered before starting Work. Those who desire are allowed to attend.  No patients are taken free. For poor Christian patients, church makes payment. Rs. 76,000 is the annual expenditure. The hospital is practically self-supporting. 4000 is the annual grant from church. There are no catholic nurses. 49 nurse students. No Hindu nurse students. None have come in spite of efforts.  Posters on walls from bible teachings.  All nurse students are Christians.  No stipend, but very little pocket money is given.  Books on religions other than Christian are in the Nurses library. Dining hall for nurse students is in Indian style.