Christians plan Black Day for Dalit rights

Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims have been observing August 10 as Black Day since 2010, as it is the date on which the controversial order was signed in 1950.

New Delhi:  All Christian denominations in India plan to observe August 10 as Black Day to protest against the discrimination meted out by government to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims by not granting them scheduled caste status.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) and National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) will offer special Mass and prayers on the day.

Meetings, rallies, demonstrations, hunger fasts, submitting memoranda, candle vigils and other forms of demonstrations will be also organized by the Christian communities throughout India to show support and solidarity to the suffering Christians of Scheduled Caste Origin.

Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims have been observing August 10 as Black Day since 2010, as it is the date on which the controversial order was signed in 1950.

CBCI said that blocking scheduled caste benefits to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims is a blatant act of religious discrimination and in contravention of the Constitutional provision of equality. The communities are denied of their Constitutional rights for more than 64 years.

The 1950 Order made reservation in education and jobs available to those from low-caste that follow Hinduism. It was later modified to include Sikhs and Buddhists, but still excludes Christians and Muslims.

The Christian community renewed its demand to the government of India to come forward to resolve the issue without further delay and that it should give appropriate answer to the query of the Supreme Court.

A Civil Writ petition filed in 2004 in the Supreme Court of India praying the deletion of paragraph 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) order 1950 is still pending since the Government is not replying.

Last year CBCI represented by SC/BC office and NCCI have impleaded in the above mentioned case.

Different commissions appointed by the Government have recommended that Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims should be included in the Scheduled Caste list.

Most of the National and Regional political parties have supported the demand of Scheduled Caste status to Christians and Muslims of Scheduled Caste Origin by writing letters to the Prime Minister and concerned authorities.

In Delhi, the Black Day will be observed on August 12 from 4.30 to 5.30 pm at CNI Bhawan by CBCI, NCCI and NCDC.

Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi, Archbishop Vincent Concessao, Emeritus of Delhi and Mr. Alwan Masih, Church of North India (CNI) General Secretary will preside over the programme.

Source: CBCI News