INthe once-forbidden land of Sarguja, India, where missionaries were banned under the former rule of the Hindu rajas. more than 1,500 people recently took part in the first procession of the Blessed Sacrament.
Dressed in picturesque native costume the tribesmen—mostly of the Oraon tribe—walked to improvised altars to the accompaniment of drumbeats from more than 30 drummers, who danced all along the route. They were led by three tribal priests.
Under the rajas' administration the former native State of Sarguja had several anti-Christian laws including the banning of the profession of Christianity and prohibiting missionaries from staying in the area for any length of time.
1 he Hindu Apostacy Act of 1945 has been retained by the new Government following the State's integration into the Indian nation. A Catholic petition seeking invalidation is to be heard by the Supreme Court.