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India's High Court to Consider Christian Dalits' Demand For Equality

by Allie Martin
October 6, 2005

(AgapePress) - The Supreme Court of India will soon hear a case affecting millions of Dalit Christians. At issue is whether Christian Dalits will be given the same basic rights that Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist Dalits already enjoy under the law.

For generations many Dalits, also known as untouchables, have been at the bottom of the Hindu caste system in India. Back in 1950, the government tried to address the issue when a presidential decree granted quotas in schools and government jobs to Sikh, Buddhist, and Hindu Dalits. But, as Gospel For Asia founder K.P. Yohannan notes, millions of Dalits have become Christians and, under current law, are no longer eligible to benefit from the quota system.

Yohannan hopes lawmakers in India will eventually address the anti-Christian discrimination. "If -- and I believe God is going to do it -- they pass the bill saying that if these 300 million Dalits become Christians, no problem, they will still have all the benefits and everything," he says, "a dam is going to break, and that means no one can stop these millions of people [from] coming into the kingdom because this is the last obstacle the enemy is using: the fear of the economic development of the Dalit community."

The Gospel for Asia founder says current Indian laws give Dalit Christians virtually no rights whatsoever. He explains, "The Hindu fundamentalists in India know if these benefits for the Dalits are given and nothing is going to stop it, that means there will be mass exodus toward the Christian faith -- and that is what the problem is. They are against [that]."

Yohannan was a key speaker at a rally in 2001 at which Dalit leaders urged their people to leave Hinduism and its oppressive caste system. He believes the case now pending before India's highest court will be critical for the future of the millions of Dalit men, women and children who suffer systemic persecution and discrimination at the bottom of that system, many living as virtual slaves for generations.

Last August the Supreme Court of India postponed discussion about extension of full civil rights to Christian Dalits after state Attorney-General Milon Bannerjee asked for more time to study the matter. After the postponement, Christians following the case presented a petition to the government, asking for 'urgent insertion of a discussion about their situation' in the order of the day in Congress.

Among the petition's signatories were Franklin Caesar of the Christian Dalits of Tamil Nadu, the National Forum of Dalit Christian Rights, the All India Catholic Union, the All India Christian Council, Voice of Dalit International, and other Christian church and pro-Dalit organizations across the country.

The Supreme Court of India has set a new date, October 18, 2005, for reviewing the case. Members of the many outcaste advocacy groups in India that have been calling on the government to end the religious discrimination in the quota system are hopeful that this new hearing date will be final and that the court will resolve the matter in favor of equality for Dalit Christians.

Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.

http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion03425.shtml

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(My Note:  This article should make all of us pause and give thanks for our freedom of worship that we take for granted far too often. The date for this hearing is soon, so I'm asking all Christians to pray that the right decision will be made.)

blackeyedpeas; october 18th will definitely be a day to be praying and praising that God's will, will  be done in this situation. I think I'll just start thanking Him ahead of time for the victory! How about you? just start reminding the enemy he has already been defeated!  

Hello Allin 1,

Yes, I'm already praying for this cause and many others around the world. A good friend and sweet Christian on the forum told me about an outstanding free Christian publication called "Voice of the Martyrs". It's available from the menus of Christians Unite. Before I started reading VOM, I really had little idea about how much persecution Christians are enduring around the world. It's completely free and delivered by email. You simply click on the stories you want to read in detail, again FREE. You read about Christians going to prison for years, simply for possessing a Bible. Sadly, you also read about Christians being killed and tortured simply for being a Christian. After reading a couple of issues of VOM, you will stop and give thanks the next time you open your Bible and study in peace and safety.

Brother, I have thought many times about what it would be like to have to risk your life to talk about JESUS or worship. I've questioned myself about whether I would have the sufficient courage to STAND and keep STANDING in such circumstances. I spent my life in police work, and I simply pray that I would and WILL keep standing up for JESUS until HE comes to take us home.

The main point I would like to make with all Christians is we should never take our freedom to worship for granted. Our times of worship and praise should be treasured. Walk through the doors of your beautiful church, but remember there are Christians hiding underground and reading the Bible by candlelight! We might go out to eat and further enjoy Christian friends after church, but others simply try to get home alive.

May God's Will be done in India on October 18th. Dear Heavenly Father, untold millions around the world are hungry for your WORD and want to worship YOU. LORD, we ask that you watch over them and cause the nations to welcome the Gospel of Your Grace, Your Love, and Your Holy Word. LORD, we ask that you raise up strong men and women of courage to share Your GOOD NEWS. LORD, we know that faith comes by hearing, so we are asking You to let them hear Your WORD. We ask these things in the precious name of JESUS, our Lord and Saviour forever.

Love In Christ,
Tom

1 Peter 1:3 NASB  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Love in Christ,
Tom

Psalms 139:13-14 NASB  For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb.  I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.