NEW DELHI (October 18) - In a conditional victory for Dalit Christians, India’s Supreme Court told the government yesterday that it does have jurisdiction to rule on the case of legal rights for the “Untouchable” believers, and that it will issue its final ruling on October 25. Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan said the hearing date is a blessing for Christians, “because it means the Lord is giving us a few more days to pray for the Supreme Court to give millions of Dalit Christians their full rights as citizens of India.”
The Indian government had argued that the Supreme Court did not have jurisdiction over the case because of a government commission set up to decide the issue. The court ruling was seen as a victory for Dalit believers, and Christian leaders are calling for prayers to continue that the October 25 ruling will firmly establish the civil rights that Dalits now lose when becoming Christians.
Although the caste system was legally ended in 1950, it still regulates much of Indian society, and the Dalits are at the lowest rung in this oppressive class structure. And while Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Dalits are given affirmative action placements in universities and government jobs, they lose these and other rights when they become Christians.
The court case will determine whether these rights will be extended to Christians.
“What the militant leaders have been doing to deny the Dalit Christians their rights is totally unconstitutional,” Dr. Yohannan declared. “Yet despite the persecution and loss of rights, millions of Dalits have become Christians.
“When the court rules in favor of the Christians, it will be like a dam bursting. The possibility is that 300 million ‘Untouchables’ who have been living in slavery will at last find their way to freedom and hope. This is the last barrier to them moving out of the oppression of the Hindu caste system.”
“Again, I call on all believers to fast and pray over these next few days as the court is making its final decision. Let us thank God for what He is doing, and pray for the judges as they weigh the evidence on behalf of our Dalit brothers and sisters.”
