The preamble of the Indian constitution says that India is a secular country. Articles of the Indian constitution 14, 15, 16 and 25 say about one’s right to practice any religion and there should not be any discrimination on the basis of Religion. But against these fundamental rights there is a Presidential Scheduled Caste Order 1950 paragraph 3 which says that nobody other than Hindu can be in the Scheduled caste list. Later in 1956 and 1990 Sikhs and Neo Buddhists were added to the Schedules caste list.
The people who are in the scheduled caste list are dalits who are given affirmative action and reservation in education and employment and they are given special legal protection against the caste atrocities.
Long struggle:
The Dalits who converted to Christianity who undergo the same caste discrimination and untouchability are not considered to be in the scheduled caste list just because of their religion. Many memorandums, delegations. Demonstrations, petitions, rallies made by the church and people in the past sixty years went in vain.
Litigation:
A public Interest case was filed in the Supreme Court of India by Prashanthi Booshen and Shanthi Booshen later joined by Franklin Ceaser in March 2004. They argue that the Presidential SC order 1950 paragraph 3 is ultra motive and ultra virus and discriminatory in nature hence it should be deleted.
The Union Government of India said that it would refer this matter to the National Commission for religious and linguistic minorities (NCRLM) headed by Ranganath Misra. This matter was given to the NCRLM as the additional term of reference in 2005.
NCRLM popularly known as Ranganath Misra commission:
The commission gave its findings and recommendations to the Prime Minister of India in 2007. After much uproar it was tabled in the parliament on 18th December 2009.
It says that
- Even after conversion to any religion the dalits undergo the same untouchability and their socio economic and educational condition remain the same.
- After going to Christianity they experience untouchability also by the other
- Caste should be delinked from the religion
- 1950 Presidential SC Order paragraph 3 should be deleted since it is against the constitution of India and thus Dalit Christians Muslims, Parsis should be included in the SC list.
Long March of the Dalit Christians in Tamil Nadu:
Since the Misra Commission was tabled in the parliament there was a need to give pressure to the Government in various ways. In Tamil Nadu the diocesan secretaries for the SC/ST commission gave a proposal to have a Long March from Kannyakumari to Chennai by walk so that we can get the support of all the people. We had several meetings with the Tamil Nadu secretaries of the SC/ST commission, with the NCDC leaders with the Dalit Christian Federation, with the different churches in Tamil Nadu and with various leaders and NGOs. A proposal was given to the Tamil Nadu bishops which was approved by them and they promised their support.
The Long March started in Kanyakumari the southern most part of the country. Around 50 people started walking from Kanyakumari to Chennai including some women. Many others started walking along with them for one day or two days. The purpose of the march was
- to make the commission report known to the people
- to get the support of the all categories of people,
- to demand the state Government to pass a resolution in the State assembly to include the Dalit Christians in the SC list as they did in Andhra Pradesh and other states and the ask the Member of the parliaments from Tamil Nadu to raise voice in support of the Dalit Christians.
- To demand the Union Government of India to implement the Misra commission’s report and include the Dalit Christians in the SC list by deleting the 1950 presidential SC order paragraph 3.
Daily program:
The marchers get up around 4 am and start they march at 5 am. Packed Break fast will be on the way anywhere under the shade of a tree. After break fast they continue their walk until lunch. After lunch they take rest for an hour and some people wash their cloths. They continue their walk till the evening. In the evening they will have a pubic meeting in one of the villages or towns. It may be over by 9 pm or 10 pm after which they take their supper take a shower. Then they sit for evaluation which sometimes goes upto 12 am or 1 am.
On the way in all the villages and towns they also make street campaign with hand bills and loud speakers. They get the signature of the public in support of the cause.
Support of the people:
All the Christians, Muslims, parties(Except the BJP), people’s movements, NGOs, supported the Long Marchers by welcoming them giving them food or tea, honoring them with towels and gifts.
The last day and the last hours:
On 4th March night the marchers stayed at Pallavaram. They started their march in the morning. Warm welcome was given at the St. Patrick’s church at St. Thomas mount. Four bishops participated in the meeting. Many days back appointment from the CM was sought to give the memorandum by the Long Marchers. It was supposed to be at 11. 30 am. A delegation went to meet the CM but to their surprise they came to know that the appointment was not given by the Chief Minister. So the Long Marchers along with the hundreds of people started walking meet the Chief Minister crossing the boundaries. They were arrested. The chair of the TNBC SC/ST commission Rt. Rev. Neethinathan came forward to be arrested. He was arrested along with many priests, nuns and one thousand people. Knowing the arrest of the Bishop Neethinathan the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Bishops Council Archbishop Chinnappa came forward to be arrested along with many other people followed by Archbishop Peter. All were taken to a hall under custody. In the evening there was a promise to meet the Chief Minister at 7 pm. So all the people were released and all of them went to the Public meeting sight at Mylapore. But later only the deputy Chief minister met the delegation of Bishops, Long marchers and the Dalit Leaders.
The public meeting was attended by around 20,000 people. Brinda Karet Honorable member of the parliament and Polute bearau member of the Marxist Communist party of India was a guest speaker. Most of the Tamil Nadu Bishops participated in the meeting. The Long Marchers were all honored in the public meeting.
Results of the Long March:
We did not get any direct response or promise from the Government. We may see the result in the state assembly meeting or in the forth coming parliamentary sessions
But we are happy that awareness have been created among the Dalit Christians. The message has reached to most of the Christians through churches and especially through the Lenten letter of the Tamil Nadu bishops. The general public also are aware of the issue and most of them see the logical justice of the issue.
This will help the Dalit Christians coming together for the future plan of action.
We have more or less succeeded in bringing different Dalit Christian movements and NGOs for this issue which will help us to work to gather in future.
Follow up action plan:
The Long March should end only when we achieve the goal. We will continue to plan for the follow up program with the Dalit Leaders and supporters. We look forward to get your valuable feedback and suggestions.
Fr.Devasagaya Raj
Secreatary
Tamil Nadu Bishops Council’s commission for SC/ST
