Supreme Court to hear Dalit Christian issue in November

New Delhi – The much–awaited decision of the Supreme Court of India in relation to the “equal justice” sought by the 17–million Dalit Christians of India has been postponed by the apex court on October 25 for the “end of November.”

The decision came as a major setback for the “untouchables” who expected the court to pass a favorable decision on October 25.

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 in February this year 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, originally fixed for hearing on August 25, has been adjourned thrice now – first till October 18, second till October 25 and now for an unspecified date in November.

Nonetheless, a glimmer of hope was seen when the apex court directed the parties involved in the matter to appear before the Justice Mishra Commission, which was set up by the Government of India to investigate the economic and social difficulties of religious minorities, including Christians.

Among those fighting for the Dalit Christians are the National Forum of Dalit Christian Rights as well as the Christian Dalits of Tamil Nadu, the All India Catholic Union, the All India Christian Council, Voice of Dalit International, and other Christian church and pro–Dalit organizations across the country.

The Dalit Freedom Network (DFN), a US–based organization that seeks to work with individuals, foundations and organizations outside of India to bring together their combined resources on behalf of those who are working for the emancipation of the Dalits within India, held a historic conference on October 6 in Washington D.C., urging the US government to assist India in eradicating caste–based atrocities. The conference was followed by a hearing conducted by the U.S. Congress on human rights violation against Dalits in India.

The U.S. Congress reportedly condemned the "abuses and humiliation" of India's Dalits and tribal communities, including Christians, who they said were "victimized under the yoke of a shameful caste system."

According to John Dayal, president, All India Catholic Union, it was not clear whether the Supreme Court’s directions for the matter to be heard by the Justice Mishra Commission would benefit or further harm the cause of the Dalits.

However, the pro–Dalit campaign over the years has garnered huge public support with several political parties sending petitions to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and other officials, voicing their support for the downtrodden community.