`We converted to Christianity, willingly'', said Sitabai Tulshiram Bosare. ``And the main reason for the conversion was that we were fed up with the expensive rituals of the bhagat (witch doctor), who used to demand goats and fowls for sacrifice at the slightest opportunity''.

Sitabai and her family converted to Christianity more than ten years ago, drawn by the promise of healthcare and the concept of offering up prayers, instead of money or animals, to aid the recovery of the sick. She said that gradually more tribal families accepted the new religion but did not sever their ties with tradition. But this year, probably seeking to makea clean break with the past, the converts refused to contribute Rs 130 and seven kg of foodgrains towards the annual `Maulya' ritual, inviting the wrath of the non-converted tribals of the village.

On October 16, a 100-strong mob assaulted the converted families and damaged the walls and the tiled roof of the village church constructed in 1997. The police registered a case against 26 villagers, who were later released on bail.

The incident has given the Hindu fundamentalist organisations an opportunity to raise their saffron flags in the village. The damage to the 200 square feet structure covered with tiles which served as a church is said to have been a ``spontaneous'' backlash of Hindu tribals against the activities of Christian missionaries.

The converts, on the other hand fear another assault from the Hindu tribals, despite the posting of four police constables in the village. ``But for the presence of the police, we would have been killed'' said Sitabai. ``We are being told that Shiv Sena men willbe called to the village to teach us a lesson''.

A tribal youth, Pandu Jadhav, claimed he was assaulted and forced to bow before a Hanuman idol. His conversion, he said, was his personal matter and he just wanted to practice his religion peacefully.

Another tribal, Sitaram Thapad, said that while he and his family had converted to Christianity, they had retained their names. He said the family had to incur heavy expenses on special occasions or whenever there was sickness in the family -- on the bhagat's directions.

Incidentally, the village does not have a resident bhagat. Villagers get one from other villages spread over the hills when required. Thapad said the villagers wanted to beat the converts for four days, but the presence of policemen saved them.

The hostilities in the village, which has a population of 602, have centred around two issues: the participation in the annual `Maulya' ritual by contributing money and foodgrains; and the day of fasting. While the tribals have beenobserving a day long fast every Tuesday, the converted tribals have given up the fast and instead, observe it on Sundays. No side is willing to compromise on these issues.

Gopal Mahadu Jadhav, who led the attack on the church, said the activities of the missionaries had increased. The converts, he alleged, ridiculed tribal traditions but continued to avail of reservations for the scheduled tribes.

If the converts were fed up with Hinduism, he added, they should also give up their claim to reservation.

He also accused the police of being biased and filing offences against persons who were not in the village when the incident took place.

The only solution, he said, was participation by the converts in the traditional rituals and observing a fast every Tuesday. Another tribal, Ramji Dalvi, supported Jadhav's arguments on the grounds that the practice would help preserve tribal traditions.

According to Gangaram Aware `Guruji' aged 80, held in high esteem in the region for his participation in thefreedom struggle and his knowledge of herbs, violence will not stop conversions. He advocated a `Dharma Parishad' to teach the tribals understand what Hinduism was all about.

Father Arthur Jebrass, who is said to have initiated the conversions, was not available for comment.