Dalit Christians approach Rights Commission for justice

Madurai – The Dalit Christians, represented by the All India Catholic Union (AICU), have approached the National Commission for Linguistic and Religious Minorities Rights, headed by Justice Ranganath Mishra, seeking an early declaration entitling them to the rights, privileges and protection enjoyed by Dalits professing Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, Christian Today has confirmed.

The Catholic body has moved the Ranganath Mishra Commission following the Union Government telling the Supreme Court that it was “handing over the issue to the Commission” seeking an adjournment of the Public Interest Litigation filed by the Dalit Christians.

According to the national secretary of the AICU, Edward M Arockia Doss, a memorandum has been handed over to the Mishra Commission, through its member Dr. Anil Wilson.

A delegation also met the political leaders in Delhi and discussed about the issue.

Arockia Doss pointed out that the terms of reference of Ranganath Mishra Commission did not include the issue of Dalit Christians and it had so far not invited representatives from the Dalit Christian community.

However, now that the Supreme Court was looking into the matter, the Dalit Christians hoped that Justice Mishra would take necessary steps to invite representatives of their community and hear their demands.