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Christianity Today, January (Web-only), 2008 |

Speaking Out

India's Burning Issue

Conversions in Orissa—and the violent reaction against them—highlight tension in India's not-so-dead caste system.

Joseph D'Souza | posted 1/10/2008 08:54AM

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Violence against Dalit Christians in Orissa and state-sponsored anti-conversion laws will not stop conversions to other faiths. Nor will it take care of the decay within the caste-based Hindu social system.

Sadly, the Orissa state government is not implementing national hate crimes laws that call for severe punishment for crimes against Dalits and tribal Indians. (In most cases, only Sikh, Buddhist, and Hindu Dalits find it possible to get a government-issued Dalit-identity document.)

I pray that my beloved country will back away from the ledge of discrimination and limitations to religious freedom. Only then will India achieve its potential as a superpower in the 21st century.

Joseph D'Souza is international president of the Dalit Freedom Network.

Related Elsewhere:

More articles on India are in our news section.

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January (Web-only) 2008, Vol. 52

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Vic	Posted: January 16, 2008 2:57 PM

I beg to differ w/ Mr. Mukerji. Dr Raj has called for education to be the vehicle for Dalit growth in India. Who was the first group to approach him? None other than OM/India and DFN. Through their Dalit Education Centers (DEC), there are currently 10,500 students spread among 67 DEC's throughout India. These schools teach English Medium, a language unavailable to a majority of public school Dalits. There have been some well-intentioned people and churches who don't understand the need for follow up and teaching once one has accepted Christ. However, I doubt any true missionary would convert people for conversions's sake. That flies in the face of true Christian Conversion. I have had conversations w/ Hindu nationalists that accuse Christians of "soul harvesting". It is difficult to explain to them that is an impossibility in Christian faith. I praise Mr. Mukarji for his passion, and I urge him to become involved with other Brahmin to help solve India's "blot on Humanity" (PM Singh).

Santosh

Posted: January 11, 2008 4:08 AM


Gospel for Asia used to be an active member of the All India Christian Council, which Dr. D'souza heads. As far as I know GFA continues to do good work for Dalits, but in different arenas and with a different methodology than DFN and AICC.

Marcia

Posted: January 10, 2008 4:45 PM


This is an amazing ministry. I was wondering if it is affiliated in any way to Gospel For Asia, cause I know they have a done a lot of work with the dalits --does anyone know? Thanks, Marcia

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