W.C.C. MUST CORRECT THE MISTAKE
CHARLES AMJAD-ALI, DIRECTOR, CHRISTIAN STUDY CENTRE, RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN.
There are some 3.5 million Christians in Islam- dominated Pakistan, most of whom live within the rural setting of isolated Christian villages or in largely segregated slums.
The Christian community has its basic origin in conversions from lower caste Hindus some 150 years ago, by individuals who hoped that through Christianity they would achieve material fulfilment and advancement. Ironically, Hindu stratification has continued to be practised against Christians even though Islam rejects these prejudices.
Not only do Christians remain socially, economically, and culturally marginalized, but increasing demands for greater Islamization also eroded their political status (Ecumenical Press Service).
The World Council of Churches and the Indian church leaders must tell the Pakistan church leaders that Pakistan’s 3.5 million Christians are not “lower caste Hindu” converts but they are Untouchables.
We remember meeting one such dark-looking Christian at a Karachi hotel and after some conversation we could make out that his forefathers were Untouchables. And Untouchables are not “lower caste” Hindus but casteless, outcaste people — the original inhabitants of undivided India. They are a separate race, separate nation.
Untouchables are not Hindus and never Hindus. In India too, millions of Untouchables had embraced Christianity and they continue to be discriminated inside the church.
We don’t know if the problem is the same in Pakistan. The Pakistan church leadership will be adding to the misery of these original inhabitants of Pakistan, if it goes on saying they are “lower caste converts”, an argument that is likely to prejudice the Muslims of Pakistan and its Islamic govt. which suffered so much at the hands of Hindus. The Indian church leaders and World Council of Churches must take up this case with the Pakistan church. Pakistan has no such thing as untouchability (racism) which is so rampant in India. The Pakistan govt. also must recognise the Untouchable converts as a distinct “ethnic minority” and accord all privileges due to a minority — EDITOR.
