The Least of These

Christian community has become a soft target

for radical groups in the last one month.

This incident has left

many in the Christian minority community

shattered and broken. We just hope that the...

One hundred and twenty seven church buildings

have been torn down or burned.

Tens of thousands of Christians have hidden

in the surrounding forests for months.

We don't understand that if India is called

a secular state, why do such incidents happen?

To defend itself.

Christians alleged that right wing organization...

- Guess who. - An ugly old hag.

- Manav. - Ow!

Shh.

- Look. - Oh.

"Thank you for your submission of your work."

There were a lot of things I didn't know

when Shanti, who was heavily pregnant,

and I came to Orissa.

Back then, the thing I was most afraid of

was the curse of leprosy.

But at that moment, it seemed like the obvious choice.

I needed a remote location,

I had a job offer of sorts,

and I understood the language.

The conversion issue was hot.

All perfect for a journalist who had a point to make.

- Banerjee? - Dilip?

- Prishima told me about you. - We've been waiting for you.

- That's my wife. - Namaskar. Namaskar.

- Namaskar. - Uh, look, here the keys.

Ah, thank you. And here's the rent.

- Five hundred. Here. - Ah, thank you.

- Thank you. - Uh...

- Banerjee? - Yeah.

Deposit?

- Uh... - It's just one month rent.

We didn't know of the deposit.

But I guess, uh...

- Um, h-- here's the 500. - Mm-hmm.

I've arranged the rickshaw. He knows the place.

- Okay. Good. - Thank you.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

All we can afford.

It's fine. I know.

Are you gonna see the editor tomorrow?

Yeah, I need the work.

You'll get it.

You're a great writer.

And then... promotions.

Editor. Best-selling author.

Manav Banerjee?

- I like your work, Banerjee. - Thank you, sir.

But to give you full-time, I need new material.

Raj.

- Hm. - I-- I can produce, sir.

It's just that my wife is pregnant, so...

- Oh. First child? - Yes, sir.

- How long you've been married? - Not long, sir.

Aha. Pregnant already.

Yeah.

I'll see what I can do. So, right then.

Sir, what kind of article are you looking for?

News.

Sir, yesterday at Baripada Market,

a young beggar boy was found to have leprosy.

People were shouting, pushing each other,

wondering what to do with the boy.

And then from the crowd walked a man.

Okay.

Come on, it's okay.

Manav... who is he?

Staines. Not news.

- Oh. Someone told you? - No.

He's a missionary, Banerjee.

You said it yourself.

First, conversions, then imperialism.

You want to support that?

Mm.

Hello. No, I'm busy now.

Sir.

Do you know how much it costs

to convert someone to Christianity?

Five hundred among the poor. Ten dollars.

Less, I think, if the convert happens to be a leper.

So?

Sir, a missionary flies back to the West

and tells them that he's converted 1000 people,

for which, of course, he gets paid,

but which is much more than $10 per person.

Good business.

Yes. But the law here in Orissa states that

no person shall convert or attempt to convert any person

from one religious faith to another.

Yes, by use of force or by inducement

or by any fraudulent means.

Sir, and yet not one missionary has been charged.

Not yet. That would make good news, sir.

You bring me evidence of illegal conversion

by Graham Staines.

I'll give you a permanent position.

Loan me a camera, sir, and I'll get you photo evidence.

I'll loan you a camera, but...

I need a deposit.

How much money do you have?

Hello.

I told you I am busy.

No, I don't know anybody!

Why do you have security in this office?

He's mad! Send him out!

Mad fool.

Dead is dead.

This will do.

There's a conversion of a tribal girl

in Baripada tomorrow.

This is your opportunity.

You won't be disappointed, sir.

Ticket. Where you go?

Uh, I'm from New Orissa.

I'm a journalist.

L-- listen, can I pay you tomorrow?

No.

Listen, my wife is pregnant. I need to get home.

- Congratulations. - Please.

Do you want me to write about your bus?

Halfway to BP Town, this bus will be packed

like cattle going to slaughter, way beyond the seat limits.

Do you want to lose your license?

I'm not getting out.

Thank you.

Baripada.

- Going to Baripada? - Yes.

- Your bottle? - Yes.

Have it.

All Indians are brothers and sisters.

Yes, all Indians are my bothers and sisters.

India is my country,

and all Indians are my brothers and sisters.

I love my country, and I'm proud

of its rich and varied heritage.

I shall always strive to be worthy of it.

I shall give my parents, teachers and all elders respect

and greet everyone with courtesy.

To my country and my people, I pledge my devotion.

- I am not. - He's a leper!

- I am cured. - Leper! He's a leper!

- I am cured. - Stop the bus! Stop!

- I am cured. - Stop!

I am cured!

Hey! Hey, stop, hey!

Hey, stop the bus! Stop the bus!

I'll report you!

Please. Please.

Please. Please.

- Huh. - Namaskar.

Namaskar.

Are you heading towards Baripada Town?

- Yup. - I need to get home.

Well, jump in. I won't bite.

Sundar.

You haven't mentioned your visit.

No good, Sahibo. How many times do I go?

- Seven times seventy. - Leper! He's a leper!

- Mate, mate, mate. - Stop the car!

- Just stop the car! - He's alright. Calm down!

- Stop the car! Stop! - Alright, alright. Calm down.

Stop this car now.

I-- is this a setup? He pays for my ticket.

The bus leaves, you turn up, huh?

- Just offering you a lift. - Not with a leper!

Calm down, mate. He's been healed 30 years.

Whatever! I can't travel with him! I--

He's not contagious. He's been healed.

I can't! I...

I got the job.

Wow, that's great.

I have a story to cover.

Do you want to be my bodyguard?

Mm.

- I've been... - What?

Nothing. I just couldn't sleep.

I'll sleep now.

Are you willing to be baptized of your own free will?

Yes.

I am the way, the truth,

and the life.

No one comes to the Father,

except through me.

I baptize you in the name of the Father

the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding--

Hey!

- What do you have there? - Good morning. May I help you?

- Is it money? Huh? - No, it's not.

Th-- this is an illegal conversion, huh?

- No. Her mother is a Christian. - Well, her father is a Hindu.

He let her choose.

- I want to talk to her. - You can talk to me, sir.