Keeping the faith

For the last couple of weeks I have been reading about communal riots in various parts of India - first in Orissa, followed by UP and then in Mangalore. While communal riots are not uncommon in India what is disturbing is that this time it is between the Hindu and the Christian community which has so far coexisted in harmony over so many decades except for stray incidents in the North east.The entire brouhaha seems to be about the convesrion drive embarked upon by the missionaries through bribery and various other unfair means. The Hindus want to keep their kind in their fold and stem this supposed exodus to another faith.I have a few questions here. First what is religion to us and to what extent does it matter in our day to day lives. When compared to three square meals, clothes on the body and a roof above the head, I think it ranks pretty way down in terms of priority. Consider a typical so called low-caste or tribal individual - he is scorned by his fellows and sees no way out of a life of poverty and exclusion. He then comes upon people who are willing to address his immediate issues - they give his children free education and of the type that is relevant (namely English medium education), provide him with some employment and most importanty dont discriminate or persecute him because of the conditions of his birth. Which person can resist this passport to a dignity. From an unfriendly, apathetic religious fabric he is transported to a very active, close knit network that prays for him, helps him and his family. Believe me, I dont think it matters to him that he needs to bow before a Jesus instead of a Krishna, in order to get this. For him it is a treachery that is pardonable in his eyes.If the Hindus want to retain their brothers in the fold then they need to do more than protest. They need to give them viable options that take care of their day to day needs. They will have to offer these lesser born mortals the feeling of belonging and acceptance, affordable education options, medical help, social security and a social fabric that is responsive and helpful. If that is possible then maybe they will not see the need to convert to another religion and disown the Gods that they were taught to worship since birth.