Day of mourning against discrimination of Christians and Muslim Dalits in India

(August 07, 2010) “On August 10 we will observe a Black Day, a day of mourning, since August 10, 1950 the President of India passed the infamous Article 3 of the Constitution on Scheduled Castes (SC). It is a protest against the discrimination suffered by Dalit Christians and Muslims. Mgr Marampudi Joji, President of the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes and Backward Classes of Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) explained thus to AsiaNews that the sole reason for the protest on August 10 organised by CBCI, the National Council of Churches in India and the National Council of Dalit Christians. The promoters are asking that black flags be displayed as a sign of mourning on Christian churches and other buildings, in meetings and at public events. The hope is that as Bishop Joji says "this is will be make our Christian communities aware and to urge the central government to pay attention to our just demand." The Dalit Christians and Muslims have been denied the Scheduled caste rights provided in the Indian Constitution. This violates the basic constitutional principles, such as equality, the prohibition of discrimination for reasons of faith and freedom to choose religion said the Protesters. The Supreme Court has repeatedly urged the federal government to address and resolve the problem but has received no answer.