While undergoing surgery for pain in her uterus, a Dalit woman was robbed of her kidney by her doctor. So far, according to news reports, her efforts at justice have been met with resistance and scorn because of her “untouchable” caste.
Dr. K.P. Yohannan, president and founder of Gospel for Asia, says the case is another sad example of how India’s Dalits are denied even the most basic rights.
“Not only are they denied their rights, they are openly abused with no consequences for those who oppress them,” he added.
Maya was diagnosed in December 2003 with stones in her uterus. Her husband, Phool Singh, knew the impoverished couple did not have the money for her surgery. However, a friend referred Maya to a Dr. Richharia, who was able to get her in for surgery on December 20, 2003.
But after she returned home, the pain continued. Her husband took her back for a checkup, but the doctor assured her that the pain would disappear after a few months.
For almost two years, Maya continued to suffer. Finally, in January of this year, the couple went to another doctor for a second opinion. He suggested that she have an ultrasound. Those results showed that Maya’s left kidney was missing!
The next day, the couple went back to Dr. Richharia’s clinic to inform him of their problem. He refused to see them, and the staff physically assaulted them for criticizing his reputation.
Maya and her husband then went to the local police station to register a complaint about Dr. Richharia, but the police refused their petition. The couple has also written to the officials of their state government, but without official response. They have been told by some officials not to make much “noise” because they are Dalits. Her husband has also written to the president of India and the National Human Rights Commission, and is waiting on a response from them.
Dr. Yohannan says that such incidents are, unfortunately, all too common in India.
“The Dalits are striving for freedom from 3,000 years of caste oppression,” he explained. “This is why Gospel for Asia has been ministering among them for the past 25 years, and why it has been my privilege to stand with them in their quest for basic human rights.
“We know, and many of their leaders know, that their only hope for true freedom lies in Jesus Christ, and our native missionaries are establishing dozens of churches among the Dalits and other low-caste peoples all across South Asia.
“It is our prayer that this couple, and millions like them, will come to know that far from being ‘untouchable,’ they are deeply loved by the God who created them, and by His people who work every day and night to bring that love to them.”
Photo is for illustrative purposes only.