Dalit Christians — exclusion by society, church, state

Source: The post is based on the article “Dalit Christians — exclusion by society, church, state” published in “The Hindu” on 14th August 2023.

Syllabus: GS1- Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. & GS2- Mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections

News: In thisarticle author discusses the challenges faced by Dalit Christians in India, highlighting their struggle for equality and identity. He also argues for amending the 1950 Presidential (SC) order to include them in the Scheduled Caste (SC) list.

What challenges do Dalit Christians face in India?

1. Lack of Scheduled Caste Status: Dalit Christians are not recognized as Scheduled Castes (SC) despite commissions, such as the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission in 2007, recommending their inclusion. This deprives them of certain reservation benefits.
2. Discrimination in Christianity: Though many Dalits converted to Christianity to escape caste-based discrimination, they still face prejudices. Non-Dalit Christian converts continue to practice age-old untouchability, bringing these practices into churches.
3. Intersectional Discrimination: Using the ‘Theory of Intersectionality’, Dalit Christians face unique discrimination due to their dual identity as Dalits and a religious minority. They experience exclusion by society, church, and the state.
4. Identity Struggles: Despite converting, Dalit Christians haven’t fully realized the expected social upliftment. This leads to ambiguity in their identity, as they’re caught between being ‘Dalits’ and ‘Christians’. The state sees them only as “Christians”, pushing them into “intersectional invisibility”.
5. Inadequate Legal Protection: The single-axis framework of Indian law doesn’t provide ample protection for groups with overlapping identities like Dalit Christians. In the Soosai vs Union Of India case (1985), a Dalit Christian’s plea was dismissed, indicating the state’s narrow viewpoint.
6. Assumptions and Prejudices: Some argue that the Constitution sees Christianity as a “foreign import”, questioning the legitimacy of Dalit Christian citizenship.This perception further excludes them from certain benefits and protections.

What steps should be taken to address these issues?

1. Amend the 1950 SC Order: The government should modify the 1950 Presidential (SC) order, as suggested by the Tamil Nadu Assembly, to include Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste list.
2. Church Reforms: Churches should actively work against caste-based discrimination, ensuring equality among all members.
3. Intersectional Recognition: Understanding the unique ‘Dalit Christian’ identity is crucial. The state should consider their dual discrimination as both Dalits and a religious minority.
4. Legal Framework Revision: India’s legal system should move beyond the ‘single-axis framework’, which further marginalizes overlapping identities, to recognize the intersectionality of identities.
5. Promote Inclusivity: Public awareness campaigns can educate society about Dalit Christians’ struggles, fostering greater acceptance and inclusion.
6. Strengthen Evidence: Collect and present compelling evidence to show that discrimination continues post conversion, urging for policy changes.