Bengaluru: In a powerful state-level meeting held at the Indian Social Institute, Dalit Christians from across Karnataka came together on May 17 under the banner of the National Dalit Christian Watch (NDCW) to spotlight the systemic discrimination they continue to face, both within the church and the state apparatus. The gathering highlighted urgent demands for recognition, caste census inclusion, and an end to both overt and institutional casteism.
Organised by NDCW, the meeting brought together scholars, clergy, civil society members, and activists to confront long-standing issues, ranging from caste-based exclusion in ecclesiastical structures to denial of government benefits due to religious identity.
‘Children of a Lesser God’: Church Structures Mirror Caste Hierarchies
One of the day’s most poignant interventions came from Fr. Selvaraj, who delivered a scathing critique of caste dominance within Christian institutions. “Dalit Christians are seen as children of a lesser God,” he remarked, calling attention to the power wielded by non-Dalit groups over church resources, land, and leadership.
Using Paulo Freire’s ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ and Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of ‘Dominant Ideology’, he explained how caste-based hegemony is internalised even within religious communities supposedly based on equality and compassion.
Selvaraj stressed that transformation must begin from within: “Understanding internalised oppression is essential for any organised action.”
The Invisible Identity: ‘Double Lives’ of Dalit Christians
Mrs. Sinthia, a participant, underscored the unique dilemma of Dalit Christians who hold Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates on paper but practice Christianity in private. The practice—often a survival mechanism—highlights the denial of SC status to Christian Dalits and exposes the absurdity of a law that rewards caste identity only within specific religious boundaries. “This is not just about reservation, it’s about dignity and the right to be seen,” she said.
Mr. Alphine G. Kennedy, recently appointed Secretary of the SC/ST/BC Commission for the Bangalore Archdiocese, pointed out that Karnataka’s Christian communities are not monolithic—linguistic, regional, and theological diversity means targeted, localised strategies are essential. “Old Karnataka, Old Mysore, and KGF—each has a different story. NDCW must reflect this complexity,” he said.
Caste Census and Political Erasure
Dr. Chandra Mohan Prasad, speaking on “State and Politics of Recognition: Caste Census and Invisible Christian Dalits,” noted that Dalit Christians are politically invisible, left out of caste census data and marginalised by mainstream political agendas. “We don’t exist on paper, and without data, there is no policy,” he warned. The call for inclusion in the ongoing caste census was a key demand echoed throughout the event.
Systemic Violence and Brahmanical Structures in the Judiciary and Media
Dr. Deenabandhu Manchala drew attention to rising atrocities against Dalit Christians, citing a case of a Dalit Christian worker who was denied justice after a life-threatening injury. He accused both state institutions and the judiciary of upholding Brahmanical structures, and mainstream media of reinforcing caste prejudices. “New media has only refined old biases,” he said. He called for moral resistance and collective organising to dismantle the “culture of violence and silence.”
From Resistance to Roadmap
The open-floor discussions reflected both anger and resolve. While participants shared deeply personal accounts of marginalisation, particularly from Dalit Christian women, the tone shifted from despair to strategy as the session progressed.
Mr. Kennedy emphasised the need to actively claim caste certificates and resist being “political beggars.” Instead, he urged the community to become political stakeholders by participating in governance, advocacy, and public discourse.
A Path Forward
The day concluded with the formation of a core committee of NDCW Karnataka, tasked with coordinating future efforts, especially around the caste census and legal representation. Plans were set to decentralise action based on regional contexts. As Sonima Jacob, South Region Coordinator, delivered the vote of thanks, the atmosphere was one of renewed clarity and collective purpose.
