Tensions ran high in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa on August 12, as nearly 300 members of the Ho tribal community took to the streets in a large-scale protest march, accusing the Roman Catholic Church of attempting to appropriate their sacred Hero festival and using it as a tool for religious conversion.
The protest, organised by the Adivasi Ho Samaj Mahasabha under the leadership of Diyuris (traditional priests) and Manki-Munda tribal heads, was the culmination of an earlier resolution passed in a meeting held on August 10.
That meeting, chaired by Mukesh Birua, the Central President of the Mahasabha, condemned the proposal to hold the Hero festival inside church premises, calling it an “insult” to tribal traditions and a “deliberate ploy” to weaken indigenous culture.
Protestors gathered at Mahasabha Bhawan and Post Office Chowk, carrying banners and posters. The march wound its way through Jain Market, the Court complex, and Tambo Chowk before reaching the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
There, the protestors submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate Chandan Kumar, demanding strict legal action against the church’s Father and Pastor for allegedly disrespecting tribal religious practices.
‘Hero festival in Church is like fire in our hearts’
In yet another attempt to use a mask and exploit tribals and their culture, missionaries in Jharkhand announced plans to celebrate the sacred Hero festival observed by the Ho tribe in Church.
The Hero festival is… pic.twitter.com/qWEKHYZTXw
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) August 13, 2025
The memorandum argued that the Hero festival is traditionally observed in tribal villages, performed exclusively by the Diyuri and Raiyats (landholders) in open fields, and never within a church or mosque. The protestors accused the church of violating Articles 25, 26, and 28 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee religious freedom to the tribes.
‘Hero festival in Church is like fire in our hearts’
Speaking during the earlier meeting, Balandiya Diyuri Samu Laguri said the proposal had deeply hurt the sentiments of the Ho community.
“This matter has burned like fire in the hearts of us Diyuris. If they can celebrate our Hero festival in churches to convert people, can they also celebrate Holi or Muslim Eid in churches? Are they targeting Ho tribals, thinking we are weak? This is not acceptable at all,” he declared.
Tuibir Diyuri Mathew Devgam stressed that the Hero festival is rooted in nature worship, including animal sacrifice to deities such as Desauli, Jaira, Pauni, Nage Era, and Bindi Era, and is incompatible with Christian rituals.
“Christians do not even have the right to touch the prasad of Hero worship. These are our gods and our traditions. Celebrating this inside a church is nothing but an attempt to convert our people,” Devgam said.
Conversion allegations and demand for policy change
Protestors alleged that Christian missionaries were trying to mislead converted tribals by holding tribal festivals inside churches, introducing alien concepts such as “Missa Bali” (Mass Sacrifice) that have no place in Ho tradition.
They also called for the withdrawal of Scheduled Tribe reservation benefits from those who have converted to Christianity, questioning how non-Ho members within the church could be appointed as Diyuris.
The memorandum further accused missionaries of targeting remote areas such as Saranda, luring uneducated and poor tribals with promises of aid, and converting traditional religious sites into churches.
DC’s assurance and warning of shutdown
DC Chandan Kumar assured the delegation of a fair inquiry into the matter and promised to act on any written complaint regarding illegally constructed churches.
Following the meeting, Mahasabha leaders announced that if the district administration failed to act on their demands, they would call for a shutdown of Chaibasa and the entire Kolhan region.
Prominent figures in the march included: Diyuri Mathew Devgam, Samu Laguri, Ganesh Pat Pingua (Central President, Manki-Munda Sangh), Mukesh Birua (Central President, Adivasi Ho Samaj Mahasabha), Bamiya Bari (Vice President), Soma Koda (General Secretary), Chotelal Tamsoy (Joint Secretary), Chandramohan Birua (Retired Organisation Secretary), Anju Samad (President, Women’s Mahasabha), Nageshwari Jarika (Vice President), Bimla Hembram (Secretary), Epil Samad (President, Youth Mahasabha), Gabbar Singh Hembram (General Secretary), Gobind Birua (State President), Narsingh Biruli (Vice President), Shankar Sidhu (Treasurer), Sher Singh Birua (District President), Oeben Hembram, Rameshwar Birua, Chahat Devgam, Balram Laguri, Putkar Laguri, Sameer Devgam, along with subdivision and block committee office-bearers.
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