A SOCIO – ECONOMIC SURVEY OF ARCHDIOCESE OF BANGALORE
Dr. Ambrose Pinto, S.J.
Dept. of Political Science, St. Josephs College, Bangalore – 1
A study of the Dalit Christians (Catholics) in the rural areas of Bangalore.
A must for all those interested in the liberation of Dalits.
Foreword by Archibiorshop Alphonsus Mathias. The study covers 487 houses with 2,670 people. The archdiocese has 50% Dalit population. KGF with 25,000 Catholics is entirely Dalit. The study reveals that the existing leadership of the Dalit Christians is selfish and that it should be rejected. Dalit Catholics were critical of the church , particularly its upper caste priests and sisters. Nothing has been done to Dalits. Majority of the Dalit Christians belong to the Holeya , Adi-Karnataka and Madiga sects.
The study reveals that church has not taken much interest in their welfare. Living conditions of Dalit Christians are no different from non-converted Dalits. Caste discrimination exists even within the church. Priests have very often sided with the upper caste Christians.
The survey reveals that though converted; the Dalit Christians are no different from their non-converted brothers. And hence like SC/STs, they too need reservations. The study thus fulfils the Supreme Court directions made in its famous judgment on the “Susai Case” (Sept. 30, 1985) in which it upheld the Govt. injustice denying reservations to Dalit Christians.
Read also “Dalit Voice” editorial Sept. 1 1987 on the subject: “The State used to promote Hindu religion? Constitutional Fraud on Dalits”.
1992 Rs.15
Ashirwad No. 39 30 St. Marks Rd ., Bangalore – 560 001.
