Christians, Muslims in India march for Dalit Rights

August 2, 2012: Braving monsoon rains, some 3,000 Christians and Muslims on Wednesday marched to the Indian parliament here seeking social equality. More than a dozen groups organized the march ahead of parliament’s monsoon session to press for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for Christians and Muslims of dalit origin.

Bishop Neethinathan, CBCI SC office chairman inaugurated the rally at the Jantar Mantar main gate. There were prayers led by both Christian and Muslim communities. The marchers walked to parliament, some five kilometers away, winding through New Delhi’s busy roads. Many Bishops, Dalit Christians as well as Muslims took part in the rally demanding their rights which is unlawfully denied for Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims based on religion. For more than five decades, Christian and Muslim groups have demanded statutory benefits for their dalit brethren

A Sanskrit word, dalit literally means “trampled upon.” The Indian Constitution allows quotas in educational institutions and government jobs for dalit, members of castes once considered “untouchable,” to help them advance socially and economically. However, Christians and Muslims are excluded from these benefits on the ground that their religions reject casteism.

Father Devasagayaraj, secretary of the office of CBCI office that looks after the interests of dalit, told ucanindia.in that Christians “still have faith” that the federal government will include all dalits for quota benefits. According to Church sources, more than 60 percent of India's 25 million Christians come from dalit castes.

“We can't wait any longer. This injustice should end,” Father Devasagayaraj asserted. The marchers accused the federal government of using delay tactics in this regard. The organizers said they would organize nationwide marches across the country if the government failed to meet their demand.