Letter of Mgr Neethinathan for Dalit Liberation Sunday

(December, 10.2011) In a letter on the occasion of Dalit Liberation Sunday, held on the 11th instant, Mgr Anthony Neethinathan, Commissioner for Dalits and Tribals of the Tamilnadu Bishops’ Council, writes that ‘Dalit Liberation Sunday’ is an yearly occasion for the entire Christian community to renew its commitment to the cause of our Dalit brothers and sisters, who endure social, economic and educational backwardness because of their traditional untouchability. Indian society, writes Mgr Neethinathan, is still in the throes of a caste culture that perpetuates an ethos, behaviour and de-humanizing structures of inequality, that are felt in practical life. And the prelate adds that alas contrary to Christ’s Gospel vision, this caste mentality is prevalent even within the Christian community. Christians should recognise in those who are struggling to be recognised by society, the figure of Jesus of Nazareth lived the condition of the Dalit, but now anointed by the Holy Spirit announces the gospel to the afflicted and also to soothen the broken hearts of the dalits. The prelate concluded with a fervent appeal for solidarity in upholding the rights of the Dalits.