Dalits are always denied of the right to education, property, development and participation. Caste is among the most barefaced attempt in the history of mankind to institutionalize inequality with the religious and philosophical foundation. To address and discuss the situation of the Dalit Christians in south Asian countries, and churches reaction/response to it, the CBCI has organized two days (13-14 Feb,2019) Conference on Dalit Christians under the title South Asian Conference on Dalit Christian” Dalits witnessing Faith at the Crossroads in South Asia and Christian Response” at NBCLC, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Distinguished guest of honour was the H.E. Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, prefect of the dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development in the Vatican, welcomed and honoured by the Father Paul Moonjely, executive director, Caritas India and one of the speakers for two day’s consultation. Other participants include Bishops, Priests, leaders, activist and representative from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Bangladesh to talk on the situation of Christian Dalits in respective countries.

The conference also witnessed to had two survivors (widow women) of Kandhmal, Odisha riots to share their struggle of being Dalit.

Most Rev. Sarat Chandra Nayak welcomed all the delegates and Fr Devasagayaraj M Zakarias, national secretary of the office for SC/BC (CBCI) shared the dynamics and theme of the conference.

While sharing the dynamics father said “Title may not be liked by some of us because there should not be the caste differentiation in Christianity and hence Words ‘Dalit and Christian’ cannot go together, at certain extent it is correct because once you are Christian there is no longer Jewish or Greek, no slave or free, no male or female. We all are become one in body of Christ, in principle Christianity does not accept cast but in society, it is still there in practise.”-said by Father Devasagayaraj M.

Fr. Silva SJ and Fr. Maria Arul Raja addressed the gathering on Dalit scenario and explained the challenges faced by the Dalit Christians and next speaker offered the theological reflection. Fr. Paul too spoke on the issues and concern related to Dalit community in country and the challenges and suffering they are going through, and he concluded his words by saying(promised) that ‘Caritas India’, will continue working for the development of the Dalits.

At the end all the bishops and other delegates submitted the memorandum to H.E. Cardinal Turkson requesting H.E. to take the issue of Dalit Christian to the holy father ‘Pope Francis’. It is also planned to come up with Dalit Christian forum at Asian level to address the issues/concerns related to them and discussion was also taken on linking the CBCI office for SC/BC with Vatican.