National consultation on Dalit Christian issue held
(May 10, 2010) A national consultation on Dalit (former low caste) Christians was
held on Saturday at the headquarters of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI)
in the Indian capital New Delhi. Members from the CBCI, the National Council of Churches
in India (NCCI) and the National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) shared experiences
about efforts in demanding benefits for Dalit Christians from the government. Fr.
G. Cosmon Arokiaraj, Executive Secretary of the CBCI Commission for SC-ST, briefed
the participants about the various efforts being made and the progress of the lobbying
and campaign that has been done in recent months. Other participants too shared about
what has been done in this regard. These include several representations made to MPs,
ministers of various states and political leaders, and letters sent to them to press
for an early solution to the demands of the Dalit Christians in India. While Hindus
from dalit communities enjoy government quota benefits meant for socially poor classes,
dalit Christians are denied such benefits on the ground that their religion does not
practice caste system. Saturday’s meeting at the CBCI decided to hold a parliament
march and sit-in protest in New Delhi on August 24, during the Monsoon session of
the parliament. They also planned to distribute pamphlets and posters throughout
the country to create mass awareness, to mobilise people and financial resources in
support of the issue.