Dalit is a name that a particular community gave unto themselves. It signifies the self-assertion of the oppressed peoples of India. M. K. Gandhi called them Harijans. The British called them Depressed Classes. The Indian Govt. called them Scheduled Castes. The Brahmins named them Panchama’s.
Why should someone give them names? So, they gave themselves a name — Dalits.
Dalit is Dignified, Dalit is Daring.
Dalit is Divine. Dali’s life is that of destitution and dehumanization. Once rulers of this land, Dalits today have become the most degraded, downtrodden, exploited and the least educated in India. They have been socially, culturally, economically and politically subjugated and marginalized through centuries and remain so even after a half-century of protective discrimination (as SC) under the Govt. of India.
They are not part of the caste system hence they are outcastes. That is about Dalits in general. Who ‘are the Dalit Christians in particular?
Upper caste domination: Over 70% of the Christians are Untouchables, yet bishops, priests, sisters, institutions, colleges, high posts, are all in the hands of 8 million upper caste (Hindu) converts to Christianity.
Rival Church: Should Dalit Christians form a rival church in India? No Dalit is appointed for the important and powerful posts of vicar-general, -procurator, Director of social works and pastoral centers, and rectors of minor and major seminaries. (“Catholic Church’s Three Crimes Against Christ,” DV June 16, 1991, p.7)
The Christian Dalits suffer from a five-fold alienation and oppression:
1.The non-converted Dalits look upon them with suspicion when the Christian Dalits seek govt. assistance as they are considered already uplifted by missionary patronage.
2 Upper caste Christians treat Christian Dalits contemptuously.
3. Discrimination by the Christian hierarchy.
4. Upper caste/Hindus show discrimination to Dalit Christians.
5. The State is against reservation to Dalit Christians.:
CBCI opinion: The question is not how to speak of God in a world come of age, but rather how to proclaim Him as Father in a world that is not human and what the implications might be telling the Dalits
that they are children of God. Dalit is the poorest, lowest and the least in our country. Do we really believe the Jesus saying “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do unio me”.
Archbishop M. Arogyaswami of Madurai and Chairman, CBCI Commission for SC and ST, has declared Aug. 18 as “Justice Sunday” to express the church’s concern for and solidarity with the Dalit converts to Christianity. Dalit Christians must fight for their rights: Never allow any type of oppression and exploitation in the church functioning and fight for equality. The Presidential Order 1950 which stipulated that “no person who professes a religion: different from Hinduism, shall be deemed to be member of a Scheduled Caste,” has become a thorn in the flesh of Dalit converts to Christianity. So, fight for its amendment.
Some suggestions for the celebration of “Justice Sunday”:
A meeting of school and college principals, parish priests, lawyers and journalists, religious superiors, protestant pastors, lay leaders and social action groups could be convened for chalk out action program me. Only one single mass in district headquarters and public meeting. Press conference. Relay fast from Aug. 1 to 18 for effective publicity. Ensure the support of all denominations and social action groups for the celebration of “Justice Sunday,
