A matter regarding attempt to conversion has come to light in a hostel for tribal girls at Chirwa of Bhikangaon located in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. The students have accused the warden Rita Kharte of forcing them to read the Bible and perfrom Christian prayers at night. They were also made to do other work at the facility including washing utensils and cleaning wheat.
After being subjected to mental and physical abuse by the warden, 15 pupils from classes four and five left the hostel and went home. However, they were assaulted upon their return. Dineshchandra Patel, the Bhikangaon Block Education Officer (BEO), examined the hostel after learning about the critical issue. During the investigation, Bible books and copies with religious prayers were recovered from there.
Sangeeta Yadav has been appointed as the new superintendent as Rita Kharte was removed with immediate effect after the investigation revealed that the charges were valid. The parents of the female students have called on the administration to conduct an impartial probe into the matter. The BEO has recommended severe action against the offenders in a comprehensive report that was delivered to the Assistant Commissioner Tribal Affairs Department.
All of the hostel’s students, distressed by the abuse and intimidation, went to the District Magistrate (DM) to voice their concerns. When the locals questioned the girls, they disclosed that Rita Kharte, the hostel warden, requires them to pray and read the Bible every morning and evening. She orders them to clean the utensils, restrooms and sweep. If they don’t, she even beats them.
“The warden makes us clean wheat at 5 in the morning. She sends her husband to sell it. He comes back after selling it by 6 am. Not only this, the warden also thrashes us. When two girls ran away from our hostel, she assaulted them. She also directs us to clean the bathrooms and orders us that if anyone asks, tell them that other people do it. She pushes us pray to Lord Jesus at 12 in the night and then at 5 in the morning. She even pressures us to read the Bible,” disclosed one victim.
The girls stated that they don’t bad quality food which even contains worms sometimes. They students later agreed to stay at the hostel after the former warden was ousted and the SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) assured them of better treatment after reaching the spot.
