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KERALA, INDIA, May 24, 2005: Five months after the tsunami hit the southern coast of India, relief work has stalled in the southern state of Kerala after a row between Hindu and Christian groups. Right-wing Hindu groups are angry at the local administration for allowing Christian organizations to participate in the reconstruction of homes for the mainly Hindu tsunami victims, reports this article. They allege that the church is using relief programs as a means for converting Hindus, a charge that has been denied. Last December, tsunami waves struck thickly populated, low lying Alappad leaving around 150 people dead and destroying many houses. Over 25,000 people were sheltered in relief camps after the tsunami. Every family gets US$ 23 a month from the government and charities also help them out. But a few Hindu groups are unhappy at the relief work. The Hindu Aikyavedi group says it is connected to India’s oldest Hindu organization, the RSS. “Why should Church organizations be allowed to reconstruct homes in Alappad?,” its leader Kummanam Rajashekhar says. “Christian missionaries and organizations connected with the local church are converting Hindus in the garb of providing tsunami relief.” But the local administrator, B. Srinivas, rejected this charge. “We have thoroughly investigated the claim and found the claim to be baseless,” he said.



Kerala is home to a substantial number of Christians who wield considerable political influence. They form some 20% of the state’s population. Alappad is home to the Hindu religious organization led by spiritual leader, Mata Amritanandmayee. Her religious center runs several charitable and educational institutions in the state. Its seaside ashram was hit by the tsunami, it was one of the first to reach out to the affected people and is still involved in providing relief material. Organizations like Hindu Aikyavedi have demanded that this religious center should be the only organization allowed in the reconstruction work. The local administration decided to divide the reconstruction work among different organizations after being inundated with requests from both religious organizations and local charities. “How could we give the entire island to Mata Amritanandmayee’s center to rebuild overlooking requests from church organizations and local charities?,” said an official in Alappad who wished to remain unnamed. The tsunami affected families are eager to get permanent homes. But they are caught among different groups and interests that want to have a stake in the entire reconstruction process.

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