Special Dalit Report - Part 2
October 18, 2006
"Our country got independence decades ago, yet we are under slavery," says Hardik Gurjas, speaking from his village in Bihar, India. As a Dalit, he has first-hand knowledge of the prejudice, domination and ostracism under which his people, the Mushars, have suffered. As the newly-elected headman in his village, he has a deep desire to be an instrument for their liberation. As a Christian, Hardik knows that the highest form of freedom can only be found in Jesus Christ.
Hardik had some understanding of Christianity before he met Gospel for Asia missionary Premal Lokprakash, but he was longing to find someone who could tell him more. After many discussions with Premal, Hardik made the decision to follow Christ. His choice impacted his family members, and today approximately 50 people in Hardik's family are Christians.
In Part 2 of our special Dalit report, Hardik talks with a GFA field correspondent about the atrocities the Mushars have endured because of their Dalit status and about how knowing Christ has changed his life.
We understand that the majority of the Dalits face oppression and atrocities from the high-caste landlords. Tell us about that.
There is landlord power here in the village. Our country got independence decades ago, yet we are under slavery. There are many poor Dalits who do not have a house, food to cook, proper clothing or sufficient water.
What do the landlords do?
They put pressure on the people and oppress them. They say, "If you don't do what we say, we will beat you." They will put someone in legal trouble by false accusation. Three years ago in this village, the landlords put someone behind bars by false accusation.
Who are these landlords?
They are from high castes. They are rich; they have lots of property, money and power. The people who work in their fields are Dalits. The Dalits have to work at the landlords' whims. If the landlord says day is night, the Dalit has to call the day "night."
Tell us about the struggles of the Dalits here in the village.
The Mushars are going through problems and there has been no one to help. I have seen the landlords torching Mushar houses with my own eyes. They have raped our women and looted our belongings, all because of caste.
But I realized that Christians help those in trouble and take care of them in times of need. I was looking for some Christian fellowship for a long time, but there was none. But at this right time, the Lord has brought you all. Now I have found the true God, and I want to stick to this faith.
You have received the Lord and your life is changed. What do you want to see happening for the villagers?
I have been thanking the Lord for the blessing He has been giving me ever since I received Him as my Savior. As much as possible, I will try my best to tell others about the Lord Jesus. And I believe the Lord will be with me and help me do that.
As head of the village, I have promised myself that I will leave no stone unturned in making the lives of the poor and downtrodden better. The work that I do for them should be a lasting work. That is my priority.
You went with Pastor Premal to the neighboring villages and distributed tracts the other day. What was your goal for this?
I wanted to tell people that there is no discrimination in Christ. Everyone is equal in His sight. We can have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, we worship Him alone and we ought to live in harmony as the Lord teaches us.
Are you saying that once a person comes to Jesus Christ, that barrier of caste and color is broken down?
Yes. How often I have agonized over the struggle and pain of my people. I am a bit literate, but large numbers of my people are illiterate.
There was even a time when I contemplated having a mass conversion to Islam. Because we saw insult and hatred against us in our religion, it was better for us to become Muslims than remain Hindus and bear the brunt.
It was God's grace that He sent you all in time. As soon as we heard that you had come to our village with a message of love, we quit thinking of this. Had you delayed a bit, we would have become Muslims in thousands. Conversion was already on our minds.
As the head of the village, do you think that other villagers will follow in your footsteps and accept Christianity as you have?
Yes, but it might take some time. Not everything is going smoothly; there are some who are against our following Christ. But I believe the Lord in His own time will surely bring all these people into His fold.
How should Christians pray for you?
Please pray for our people; they are very poor and they have not had anyone to raise a voice for them. We also need your prayers for better education. People are very ignorant and innocent in simple things because of their lack of education. When they are educated, they will also understand who the Lord is and what brotherly love is. Pray also for medical attention for the suffering and the sick.
I will do my best to have these facilities in the village, but at the same time you also need to pray for the villagers and their needs.