DAWN Fridayfax 2001 #44

India

Majority of Dalits seem open for change of religion

"In New Delhi at the end of the historical 4th November, all I can say is that the day went according to God's plan," reports the All India Christian Council's Dr. Joseph D'Souza. The day was planned as a symbolic mass conversion of Dalits (unscheduled castes) who wanted to turn their backs on the Hindu system. "There was no violence. The Dalits again showed their peaceful nature. We estimate that some 100,000 Dalits travelled to New Delhi, and despite a massive police presence, tens of thousands managed to enter the Ambedkar Bhavan - some only shortly before midnight - to reject the Hindu caste system. This inhuman social and spiritual system has repressed Dalits for 3,000 years. Most amazing was the number of women who attended the conversion ceremony," says D'Souza.

Repressive tactics backfire?

Observers estimate that the brutal suppression of democratic rights and the Dalits' freedom of opinion by BJP government agencies and misinformation in the media ("The rally is not taking place!") will have significant consequences. November 4 revealed that the governing BJP Party's political and religious system feels challenged and threatened by the planned mass conversions. Although the numbers are difficult to estimate, perhaps 350,000 Dalits were turned away by massive police presence on roads leading into New Delhi. "If that could be done in open view of the world's media in New Delhi, what sort of repressive tactics were used in the villages?" asks D'Souza. For India's 300 million Dalits, the supposed broad base of the Hindu caste pyramid, this could be the start of an incredible movement challenging the caste system and working for the good of the poor and suppressed, not the privileged Brahmans, the top of the pyramid.

Ram Raj becomes Udit Raj

Ram Raj, a Dalit political leader and main initiator of the Dalit rally, had his head shaved publicly by a Buddhist monk, and, to the cheers of tens of thousands of spectators, threw off all Hindu gods, which 'clearly let down the Dalits', as well as the entire repressive system. Udit Raj, as he is now known, described the upper Hindu castes' own open relationship with Christians, access to Christian education and eagerness to emigrate to the West while categorically denying Dalits the same things as a 'great bluff'. "It was a bittersweet moment: wonderful to see these people throwing off the chains of the Hindu caste system, painful to see them making themselves slaves to the hopelessness of Buddhism," writes Indian author Mangalwadi.

Solidarity between Christians and Dalits

"The Christian church was publicly defended for the first time in decades, and Dalits' right to show solidarity with Christians confirmed," says D'Souza. "That is an important break with Indian political correctness, which constantly attacks Christian churches and the Christian West." Hundreds of Western Christian leaders travelled to New Delhi to distribute meal packets and literature, and support the Dalits both practically and morally.

Prayer prevents bloodbath

Indian author and Christian statesman Vishal Mangalwadi reports: "I was in the midst of it, at the barricades between the Dalits and police, and prayed, as many others, that there would be no outbreaks of violence. I was ready to be arrested in my support for the Dalits' fight for religious freedom. In front of my eyes, one Dalit raised his bamboo staff to strike a policeman; at the last moment, another Dalit snatched the staff out of his hands. Thousands could have been injured if violence had broken out. God prevented it."

A historic day

"November 4, 2001 will be a historic day in India's history: the day on which a renewed and determined Dalit movement began to break from the grasp of Hinduism. This symbolic mass conversion will have a significant social, political and spiritual effect on the nation," according to D'Souza. There was strong interest worldwide in advance of the event: "Millions of Christians began praying for the Dalits, and Christian initiatives in India formed networks as never before," says Mangalwadi.

Incredible challenge for India's Christians

Three Christian leaders represented the All India Christian Council at the rally. They supported freedom of religion and guaranteed public support for the Dalits from the entire Indian Church. A declaration of solidarity between Christians and Dalits was made in Hyderabad prior to the event. "Because Jesus loves the Dalits, India's Christians will be prepared to demonstrate that incredible love in word and deed day and night in the coming years," said one of the Christian speakers to spontaneous applause. "The Dalits want the church to be involved in their affairs," says an AICC representative. "This is an incredible challenge for India's Christians. If you can pray, do so," says D'Souza.
Source: Joseph D'Souza, Vishal Mangalwadi and others, www.indianchristians.org and www.vishalmangalwadi.com

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