Dalit Christians throng meet in Hyderabad, demand SC status
From our correspondent
Dalit Christians trooped into Nizam College Grounds in Hyderabad on 26 November 2005 to express their solidarity in fighting for their constitutional rights. They came from different parts of Andhra Pradesh. Some even came from the neighbouring states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
They came using whatever means available. Some came by train. Some arranged trucks to transport. Some even came on foot, travelling long distances. In fact distances did not matter. All that mattered was an opportunity to raise their voice, to be heard in the corridors of powers.
There were men and women, some of them carrying their children. They joined the chorus, renting the air with slogans demanding that they be treated like other Scheduled Castes. Theirs was a pent-up fury that shook the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad and even beyond.
One Telugu Daily described the meeting as a grand success and put the number of people attended at more than 50,000. The number of people attended the rally surpassed any political meeting held in the same venue in the last two years, it said.
Former Prime Minister Deve Gouda sent a message which was read out at the meeting. He said his party fully understood the sufferings of Dalit Christians and extend full support for the cause. The solidarity at the meeting reconfirmed their faith that justice would be theirs sooner than later.
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President K Keshavarao, Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary BV Raghavalu, Telugu Desam Party leader JR Pushparaj, Majlis Party leader and Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Pathakota Lalaiah, Dalit activist Prof Kancha Ilaiah, BSP South India Coordinator Prof Suresh Mane and Justice Party President Udit Raj spoke, condemning the injustice done to Dalit Christians and seeking immediate intervention of the Union Government.
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All India Christian Council National President Dr Joseph D’Souza and State President Rev G Samuel presided over the meeting. Artists from Krishna district Dalit Christian Kalamandali rendered special songs.
One thing is clear now that Dalit Christians are not going to take it lying down anymore. They have suffered for centuries. |
All the leaders who spoke at the meeting are aware of this bitter truth. That they have openly supported the cause of Dalit Christians is itself a strong signal to all those in authority to heed to the signs of the time. And there is no choice for others who have managed to keep themselves away. They have to join the fight for justice to Christian Dalits.
They spoke thus:
It’s a war cry now: Dr Joseph D’Souza
Dalit Christians have been agitating for their statutory rights, including the reservations for the last 50 years. The Government has remained indifferent to their plight. They have had enough. We are not going to tolerate this injustice any more. We are going to intensify our struggle.
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Christians have blindly extended their support to different political parties all along. This will not continue any more. They will defeat parties which are reluctant to back their genuine cause. Political parties are only paying lip sympathy to the Dalit Christians on the reservation issue. Dalit Christians have obliged them so long. They will not remain silent anymore. They are going to show their might.
Dalits, subjected to discrimination in a society guided by Manuvadi principles for generations, have embraced Christianity unable to bear the practice of untouchability. The government is also apathetic, denying them their constitutionally guaranteed rights. |
Religion pertains to one’s personal freedom. Blocking the reservation to Dalit Christians by the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Sangh Parivar on the basis of religion amounts to denial of constitutionally guaranteed right to the Christian Dalits. They are not begging for anything. They are only demanding safeguards for their constitutional freedom and right. Christians will not rally around the party flags any more.
We’re going to intensify agitation: G Samuel Campaign will be intensified to achieve reservations for Dalit Christians. Campaign programmes in the national capital New Delhi will be intensified. A dharna will also be held in front of Parliament if required. Agitation will be stepped up, taking support of all the political parties which are sympathetic to the cause. |
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I’ll even quit the party for the sake of Dalit Christians: K Keshavarao I would even quit the Congress Party if Dalit Christians are not given reservation as Scheduled Castes. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi took note of this bitter truth 20 years ago and mentioned it at a public meeting in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. His intention in taking part in the meeting was not aimed at garnering votes, as many other parties also supported the move and people had the freedom of choice. |
For him Dalit Christians were those who were discriminated against in villages and ostracised every day. Keeping their plight in mind, the former Prime Minister demanded SC reservation for Dalit Christians.
I am not talking about the elite Christians living in Hyderabad city. I am talking about all those Christians, who are discriminated against and treated as untouchables. They have to be given their due.
The reservations have been delayed due to certain technical reasons. I assure you that my party would work towards getting SC status to Dalit Christians. They would be provided the privilege under the Congress rule. Reservation facility is the only solution for the social uplift of Dalit Christians.
We’ll support the move in Parliament: BV Raghavulu Communist Party of India (Marxist) along with other Left Parties has been demanding SC reservations for Dalit Christians. The Centre should immediately table a bill to provide reservations to Dalit Christians. That his party would not only back the movement launched by the Dalit Christians but also take part in it actively and struggle to achieve the objective. Political parties have also been neglecting the Women’s Reservation Bill for the last ten years and Dalit Christians Bill for decades. We are going to oppose all delay tactics and get both the bills passed in Parliament. |
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TDP will give total support: JR Pushparaj The Telugu Desam Party has been demanding SC reservations to Dalit Christians for a long time. The TDP will give total support to any struggle launched by the All India Christian Council for achieving the demand. I feel sad that political parties have been neglecting the cause of Dalit Christians for the last 50 years. |
Mayavati took up the issue: Prof. Suresh Mane Bahujan Samaj Party President Mayavati has written four letters to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, demanding SC reservations for Dalit Christians. I assure you of our party’s total support to the cause. |
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We are with you: Asaduddin The Majlis Party in the state would support the movement of Dalit Christians. Go ahead with your struggle and we are with you. Christians and Muslims, if united, can pull down any government and even install new ones.
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PM and Sonia for reservations: JD Sheelam Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have expressed their readiness to accord SC status to Dalit Christians. The demand will be achieved by all means. The Government will be pressurised to bring in a bill in Parliament at the earliest. |
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Let us continue the struggle: Christine Lazarus The struggle for self-respect of Dalit Christians should not stop and reservations must be achieved through continuous struggle. I have raised the issue in the legislative assembly many times. |