Courage, fortitude, and doggedness to seek justice for the persecuted are qualities commonly found in abundance among Advocates International’s network of lawyers. Depending on the societies in which they operate, they often require an unshakable belief in the justice of their mission to persevere through challenging times and leave a lasting impact.
It is the firm conviction that “everything is possible with God. I’m only an instrument in His hands,” that has given Selvi Ganesh the audacity to shake and rattle established conventions in her country, India, currently the most populous nation on earth, according to the UN’s 2023 State of the World Population Report.
A widow herself, but not personally affected by what she had encountered, because she is a Christian, Selvi was hugely disturbed over conservative Hindus’ beliefs that a widow should not continue to live because she had “failed to retain her late husband’s soul”.
She said women are left in the lurch not knowing where to start once they are widowed. “Being a widow myself, I could feel the depth of their plight and came up with an initiative called Women’s Redeem & Restore Society.”
With the support of partners, this initiative organized a special event for widows as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations in Chennai in March 2021. “Around 30 widows turned up. I connected with them, trying to help them get back their livelihoods and dreams. I’m trying to connect with more widows and help them get back on their feet, pursue their dreams, and attain what they have always wanted to achieve in life.”
According to convention in some parts of India, widows are not even permitted to return to what had been the family home after their husbands have died. Even worse, according to the historical practice of sati, widows could be burned alive on their husband’s funeral pyre.
With nearly 80% of the population identifying as Hindu, India is home to an estimated 40 million Hindu widows. Selvi’s intervention in the system could cause more than a few ripples. But bravery and doing the right thing sit firmly on the shoulders of this lawyer and mother of two boys. She will not stop her campaign to force Indian society to discontinue these discriminatory and inhumane practices.
Furthermore, for the past two decades, Selvi has also been advocating for the abolition of manual scavenging in India. Manual scavenging is the debasing, dangerous, and demeaning system where people clean septic tanks, public toilets, and public spaces – which could include removing dead animals and faeces – without any protective clothing or gloves. These low-paying jobs are performed by people known as Dalits or the ‘untouchables’, a group that occupies the lowest caste of Indian society.
“Thousands of them have died while undertaking the hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks across India. They continue to die daily in the process of cleaning sewers,” she said.
In addition, there is a huge issue of religious freedom in India. The daughter of Tamil parents, as a lawyer Selvi has seen and experienced how religious freedom in India – the world’s most populous democracy – has diminished in at least eight of the country’s 28 states.
Articles 25 – 28 of India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion. According to these articles, Selvi said, Indian citizens have the right to practice and promote their religion peacefully, profess their religion, propagate their religion, and have freedom of conscience.
However, anti-conversion laws are in place in eight states/provinces. Selvi explains: “These are state-level laws that prohibit conversions considered to be forced, fraudulent, or otherwise improper. Intolerance of Christianity is steadily rising, as can be seen by how these anti-conversion laws are being implemented. For example, as per the law, only an affected party (parents/guardians in case of minors) can file a complaint under anti-conversion laws. But almost all complaints are filed by vigilante groups; the police also act upon these complaints and arrest Christians/pastors.”
Though she lives in Tamil Nadu – a state that does not have an anti-conversion law – she has seen that in India Christianity is facing serious challenges. Christians, she says, are not safe and able to live out their faith in India. “Not these days. Things are getting difficult. Even when contesting elections, the candidates are reluctant to divulge their faith.”
“And as far as lawyers are concerned,” she said, “our safety is at stake when we handle issues that are opposed by the ruling regime.”
Currently, Selvi is an in-house Legal Consultant for Madras Christian College, a 187-year-old Arts and Science College established by Scottish Missionaries, Rev. John Anderson and Rev. William Miller. “I also volunteer for Christian organizations that advocate for the civil rights of minorities and the oppressed classes of society,” she adds.
A member of a Methodist congregation, Selvi was baptized at the age of 19. Of her decision, she said: “I am always reminded of John 15:16, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit’. Had the Lord not chosen me and revealed Himself to me, I would be worshipping some picture or carving or sculpture made by human hands.”
Christianity in India is rapidly growing. According to Dr Ralph F. Wilson of Joyful Heart Ministries, the percentage of Christians has risen significantly, from 2.5% a decade ago to approximately 5.8% today. Almost two decades ago, Selvi and some Christian colleagues formed the Christian Lawyers Association (CLA) in New Delhi. Today, lawyers from all over India are CLA members.
Because of the work they do, some CLA members have faced victimization. Still, they soldier on, “for the Lord commands us to administer justice on earth.”
“Being part of Advocates International is a must for like-minded professionals to connect, network, and collaborate, to help establish justice on earth,” she said.
One should add, as is courage and the will to stand for what is right, as Selvi Ganesh and her CLA colleagues are doing.
This article has been republished with permission from Advocates International, where it was originally published.
