Dalit Christians stage hunder strike relay to protest against caste–based discrimination

Hundreds of Dalit Christians assembled in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, to protest against the unconstitutionality of the Presidential Order (Scheduled Castes) 1950 which has discriminated Dalits on the basis of religion and demand the Union Government to extend the Scheduled Caste (SC) rights to the Dalits who have converted to Christianity as done to the converts to other religions.

Led by the National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC), hundreds of Dalit Christians from Kerala and Tamil Nadu who began a hunger strike, November 27, 2006 which will continue till December 9, 2006, will be joined by Dalit Christians from other states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.

"Our demands are very clear. We are asking equal rights for Dalit Christians. Just like other Dalits in India. We have been divided on the basis of religion and discriminated by the Presidential Order (Scheduled Castes) 1950. That is what we are opposing," said Prof. (Dr.) M. Mary John, chairman, NCDC. "This is a historical wrong we want to correct. If this is a secular country and all religions are equal, then all dalits under all religions must be treated equally – they must get equal protection and equal rights."

"Reservation benefits should be given only on basis of untouchability…only to Dalits. Communities who have suffered untouchability and communities who have experienced all the socio–economic and educational backwardness because of prevalence of untouchability should be given the Scheduled Caste benefits," stressed V.J. George, national convenor, NCDC. "Caste should be the criteria for reservation and not religion."

"For a long time, Dalit Christians have not been given Scheduled Caste privileges. However, if Dalits embraced Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, they are entitled to get this benefits...Here, we are speaking of an issue which is essentially a violation of human rights," said T. Franklin Caesar, national coordinator, NCDC. "In India, where caste discrimination is practiced both within and outside the Church walls, the Scheduled Caste status is vital and needed for the Dalit Christians."

Father Lourduswamy, former secretary, Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) Commission for SC/ST/BC, agrees. "In spite of several steps and measures adopted by the Church to eradicate discrimination on basis of caste or otherwise, it has continued to exist," said Fr. Lourduswamy. "As long as people in society practice caste system, Church also will have it becuase the converts will carry the caste into the new religion."

"Indian psyche is caste based. It is in blood of Indians. Wherever Indian goes, whatever religion he follows, he carries it with him. So it is difficult to wipe out entirely this caste based discrimination and caste system itself," he said.

"Primary identity of any Indian irrespective of religion is caste. Caste dominates Indian culture. Religion comes second. Our present struggle is to say that Dalit is a Dalit anywhere and so he must be given equal rights. So it is more of social issue than religious issue," said Father A.X.J. Bosco, director of Centre for Information, Training, Research and Action (CITRA).

In rural areas especially, Fr. Bosco said, "caste discrimination is very prominent...whether you want to marry, get government benefit or rent a house. Even if a Dalit is economically well–off, still discrimination persists."

The students of Vidya Jyoti College of Theology feels that Church should take a more proactive role in eradicating discrimination and bringing equality in the Church. "Just because Dalit Christians have embraced Christianity, they have not been able to get away from the social stigma that has been passed down over the generations. Church leaders have not been able to give the due attention it should have been given. Now the Church leaders and the government should both join hands to resolve this issue," said Louie, a student.

"Church should take the initiative to eradicate this problem. It has to acknowledge that there is a division within the church based on casteism in places like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh among others. Then only we can go forward in solving the problem," he said, adding that "upper–caste" Christians should realize that the teaching of Jesus is about "equality."

"The affected Dalits have to realize that they have to fight for social justice and the so–called high castes who are discriminating against the Dalits should realize that they are going against the teachings of Jesus," he said.

"The 'upper–caste' Christians need to be converted in heart and spirit so that they can understand what Christianity truly is all about and follow the demands of Christianity," said Jeevan, another student. "The basic demand of Christianity is the dignity and equality of human being. If you call yourself a Christian, you have to follow and live according to the teachings of Christ…it is following truth and justice."

Caste, a social stratification rooted deep in Hinduism, organizes people by a combination of descent and employment. The lowest group in the caste system is the Dalits. While atrocities against the Dalits have been practiced for thousands of years, caste–based atrocities are reaching new heights and are causing tension across many areas.

A 1950 Presidential Order excluded Dalit convert to Christianity from the quota system that reserved jobs to members of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in the public service. The same exclusion applies to those who convert to Islam but not to those who become Hindu, Buddhist or Sikh.

However, in a significant step, the Supreme Court recently decided to consider afresh the crucial constitutional issue of affirmative action in the public sector for Dalit converts to Christianity, refuting the government plea that it be treated as a legislative problem.

The matter, however, has been adjourned several times and the apex court is expected to take up the hearing again in April 2007.

An estimated 70 percent of India's 26 million Christians belong to the socially discriminated Dalit groups, who need social, educational and economic support to integrate to the mainstream of society.