Give us our Human Rights: Dalit Christian leader, T. Franklin Caesar

Dalit Christian leader and activist, T. Franklin Caesar, like millions of other Dalits (the so–called 'untouchables' of India) have submitted to the oppression of upper–caste communities of India. Robbed of their basic human dignities, these Dalits are segregated, discriminated and ostracized. In some cases, they are treated worse than cattle and dogs.

To overcome the insult and humiliations, Dalits have embraced different religions – Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. However, the plight of those who have embraced Christianity continues as the 'upper–caste' Christians continue to practise within the walls of the church, what their Hindu counterparts do outside the four walls – discriminate, segregate, shun.

Not only the Dalit Christians were not given access to the minority benefits, but also they were excluded from the quota system that reserved jobs to members of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in the public service. Incidentally, the same exclusion applies to those who convert to Islam but not to those who become Hindu, Buddhist or Sikh.

Refusing to remain silent any longer, Caesar filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in 2004 in the Supreme Court bringing to its attention the atrocities committed on the Dalit Christians over the generations. Taking serious cognizance of the issue, the apex court 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.

On November 27, 2006, led by National Council of Dalit Christians, hundreds of Dalit Christians from different states converged in New Delhi to begin a hunger strike relay to urge the Government to remove the discrimination on the basis of religion imposed by the Presidential Order (Scheduled Castes) 1950 and extend the Scheduled Castes (SC) rights to the Dalits who have converted to Christianity, as done to the converts to other religions.

In an exclusive interview with Christian Today, T. Franklin Caesar, national coordinator, NCDC speaks about the plight of the Dalit Christians, the atrocities committed on them, their struggle both within and outside the walls of the churches and their dream of being free from the bondage laid down by the oppressive caste system.

Christian Today: What objective this hunger strike relay intends to achieve?

T. Franklin Caesar: For a long time, Dalit Christians have not been given SC privileges. However, if Dalits embraced Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, they are entitled to get this SC benefits. But if they are embracing Christianity, they are not given SC benefits. This is not an issue of conversion. We are speaking of an issue that is dealing with violation of basic human rights. Even in Indian churches, casteism is prevailing theoretically and practically. In many churches, people are made to seat separately, separate cemeteries are maintained, there is no interaction between upper caste and lower caste Christians, no inter–caste marriages...the list goes on. This is how these people are being humiliated and suppressed in the Christian religion.

Beyond the walls of the church, Dalit Christians, numbering about 1.7 crore (17 million), live in the society where caste system is prevailing. Beyond the church compound, they are facing oppression from the upper caste Christians and upper caste Hindus. In this scenario, the SC status is vital and needed for the Dalit Christians. For this purpose we are having hunger strike here.

CT: The Supreme Court has adjourned hearing on the Dalit Christian issue till April 2007 as the Ranganath Misra Commission sought more time to submit its reports. Why the agitation now?

TFC: This is a peoples' movement. The litigation is proceeding independently. As the citizens of India, we have a right to urge the Central Government to bring about an amendment in the floor of the Parliament and give us SC status. So it cannot be considered as a sub judice matter. We have a right to ask the Central Government though the matter is pending in the court.

CT: Christianity does not recognize caste system. Why then we call Dalit converts, Dalit Christians? Is the term not self–defeating?

TFC: Casteism should not only be understood and confined within the context of religion. In places like South Africa, both whites and blacks follow Christ, but racism and apartheid are very much existing. In Europe, nearly everybody follows Christianity, yet, in some parts, Romans and Gypsies are discriminated. It all depends on the peoples' mentality, mentality of the society and so this humiliation, be it racism, apartheid, or casteism, it depends on the people. Even in the Bible, Samaritan men were neglected by the Jews and treated as untouchables and Egyptians committed atrocities on the Israelites. So these divisions among the people have existed and are existing in the society independent of religion.

Sikhism and Buddhism do not recognize casteism in the country, theoretically, but practically since casteism is there, Dalit Sikhs were given recognition in 1956 and in 1990 Dalit Buddhists were given recognition as Scheduled Castes. In the same manner we are asking. We are segregated in the church because of casteism, beyond that we are dwelling in the civil society where because of casteism, Dalit Christians are being attacked and suppressed. So we are in need of this privilege.

CT: Untouchability is caste based. And, caste was introduced by Hinduism, the religion of the Aryans. The Presidential Order (Scheduled Castes) 1950 envisages that in order to fall under the SC status, a person must profess to belong either to Hinduism, or its offshoots, Sikhism or a Buddhism and that it plays no part in the non–Hindu religions (like Islam or Christianity). So a Dalit who adopts a non–Hindu religion like Christianity ceases to be a Dalit as the Constitution forbids discrimination based on religion. In other words, it is not possible to be a Christian and an untouchable at the same time. Is this correct?

TFC: Religious leaders of Sikhism and Buddhism have not accepted Hinduism as their origin. They do not accept that they are offshoots of Hinduism. They are saying that they are casteless religion. When the founders of Sikhism and Buddhism do not recognize casteism, one should not emphasize that they are offshoots of Hinduism.

Constitution clearly states that people who are socially and educationally backward should be given this privilege. They may be backward classes, they may be Scheduled Castes. In India, Dalit Christians have this backward class status. When we are given this backward class status, Government is telling us that we are socially backward. But when we are applying for this Scheduled Caste status, Government is telling us that that as Christianity does not acknowledge untouchability or casteism. The Constitution only speaks about socio–educational backwardness. The Presidential Order (Scheduled Castes) 1950 is unconstitutional in the sense that it makes a list based on religion.

The socio–educational backwardness of the Dalit Christians have been acknowledged and admitted over the years by Government officials. Even the SC/ST Commission has accepted our backwardness recommending that we may be listed under additional quota. From time to time, the Central Government has received reports about our backwardness from the Home Ministry, Planning Commission, Social Justice Ministry and SC/ST Commission. Various Commissions had tabled their reports about our backwardness in the Parliament and it was accepted in the Parliament. Even state governments have accepted our backwardness and have acknowledged our plight. Since casteism is prevailing among the Dalit Christians, the Central Government wanted to propose a Bill recognizing us as Scheduled Castes. But for one reason or the other, the Bill did not come about to pass in the Parliament.

This is the justice that has been delayed and we want this justice now. We want the Government to take affirmative action. We are fighting for our human rights. Once we are recognized under SC/ST status, we can get protection under SC/ST Atrocities Act. In Tamil Nadu alone, hundreds of Dalit Christians are being raped and killed every year because of caste–oriented thinking. And they cannot get any legal protection under SC/ST Atrocities Act. So this thing is not a thing concerned with religion. It is an issue concerned with society and basic human rights. It is our right.

CT: Dalits are being discriminated in some churches too especially in South India. In many cases, they are not allowed to pray in the same church or attend the case service. In extreme cases, Dalit Christians are not even allowed a proper funeral. There is also strong opposition within the church's hierarchy from allowing Dalit Christians to take up higher positions. What have Dalit Christians done to tackle this problem?

TFC: Dalit Chhristians comprise over 70 percent of Christianity. Yet they form a miniscule percentage of the top people in the church. Majority are upper caste Christians. Because of minority right, we are fulfilling the educational requirement of the country. Out of 2.34 crore Christians, Dalit Christians are 1.80 crore. By using our minority inclusion, we are giving education to the majority of other religious people. Take for instance, Columbus School and St. Stephen's College. How many Dalit Christians are benefited? Because of minority privilege we are only serving other religious people.

Unlike Dalit Christians, tribal Christians can contest under 'reserved constituencies' and are getting elected in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament. But as we are not included in Scheduled Castes list, we are not adequately heard or represented. We cannot contest under 'reserved constituency' and we cannot contest under general constituency because the Hindus will prevent us. Look at the hierarchy of the Indian Church. The Christians at the top are not Dalit Christians. They are mostly 'upper–caste' Christians who are only concerned about their welfare and themselves. The minority benefits and privileges are enjoyed by them while we are neglected. And as we call ourselves Dalit Christians, we are denied Scheduled Caste benefits. We do not have any political awareness or legal awareness. We are socially and educationally backward. Economically, we are poor and do not have access to opportunities. The amelioration and emancipation of Dalit Christians depend on granting the Scheduled Castes status to them.

The problems of Dalit Christians should be viewed from a sociological point. Eminent sociologists have clearly revealed that casteism is prevailing in all religions in India, be it Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity or even Judiasm. Casteism is a sociological problem. The National Minority Commission has clearly recommended giving Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and it was placed on the floor of the Parliament and was even accepted. Nonetheless to prolong the matter, the Central Government has entrusted the matter to Justice Ranganath Misra Commission. Even the 9–bench judge in the Indra Sahwey case has observed that Dalit Christians are being discriminated as much as Hindu Dalits and should be given equal rights. So many political parties have even included the issue of Dalit Christians in their election manifestos. It is a recognized right.

CT: Why the church cannot help the Dalit Christians in their struggle for justice and equality?

TFC: We have to awaken the Dalit Christians and agitate them so that they can fight for their rights in church. You see this is a problem exclusive to the Dalit Christians. This is a fight we have to fight ourselves. Even in Hinduism, there are so many powerful religious leaders – Shankaracharyas, Mata Anandamayee, Mutt leaders, Sai Baba, etc. They have political clout as well as resources. But Dalit Hindus are not going to them to ask for their rights. They are going to the Government and they are getting it. Similarly to get our rights, to get protection under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, we need to approach the Government and not the Church. The Church can help us in limited ways. We are also fighting for our rights in the Church so that we get equal representation in the Church. People are blaming us that we want minority rights as well as Scehduled Caste privileges. But if you see even Dalit Buddhists enjoy both benefits. Same for Dalit Hindus and Dalit Sikhs. For instance, if I am a Dalit Hindu from Andhra Pradesh, I can use linguistic minority privilege as well as Scheduled Caste privilege. But Dalit Christians neither are being benefited by minority privileges nor can we enjoy the Scheduled Caste privileges. So we are demanding recognition as a Scheduled Caste.

CT: Is the problem of Dalit Christians a social or a religious one?

TFC: The problem of the Dalit Christians is not a religious one. Article 17 abolishes untouchability. But when we ask the Government, "why do you give privilege to Hindu Dalits?" Government is telling us that since casteism is prevailing in Hindu society, "we are giving this privilege to Hindus." Is this not a contradiction? But if they are given this privilege, why not us?

The Presidential Order (Scheduled Castes) 1950 Para (3) is ultra vires the Constitution. Actually, the Governor of each state, in consultation with the Government and Social Justice Ministers should have recommended to the President to grant Scheduled Caste status to the Dalit Christians. They should have stressed the Central Government to amend the Presidential Order and eradicate the injustice. If the Legislature refuses to do now, we have no one to approach but the Court.

Casteism is through and through a social problem and religion, Christianity or otherwise, has no hand in it. Religion can preach about justice, love and equality. But the law alone can enforce justice and equality. Existence of a social problem does not mean that Christianity has approved or has encouraged it.