Keywords
Christian Missionaries
Conversion
Kandhamal
Media
Riots
Sangha Parivar
How to Cite
Abstract
This paper examines the role of mass media in reporting the Kandhamal riots, analyzing how narratives frequently prioritized sensationalized violence and politics of conversion over the actual, localized context of religious transformation. By investigating news articles, electronic media clippings, online reports and fact finding missions, this paper critiques the dominant media framing. Furthermore, based on the findings of intensive field work and interviews with converts (conducted by the author during his PhD days), this paper, by using content analysis as a method of data collection and data interpretation, reexamines the position of the Sangha Parivar regarding religious conversion in Kandhamal, offering a critical analysis of the dichotomy between media representation and ground realities.
References
1. Bauman, Chad M. (2020). Anti-Christian Violence in India. Cornell University Press Ithaca and London.
2. Kanungo, Pralay. (2008). Hindutva’s Fury against Christians in Orissa. Economy & Political Weekly. Vol. 43. Issue No. 37.
3. Mishra, Himanshu Sekhar (2015). Theorizing Religious Conversion in India: A Case Study of Kandhamal, Odisha. [PhD Thesis, JNU]. New Delhi.
4. Mishra, Kedar (2008). Kandhamal Riot and Mass Media-2008. Civil Society Forum on Human Right. https://tinyurl.com/386bxx35
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