Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has welcomed the decision taken by the Indian government to reserve half of places at state universities for students with lower caste or no caste. The decision, which sparked widespread protests in Indian society still rigidly separated in castes, was seen with favour by associations and bodies which promote social justice and equal opportunities in India. The local Catholic Church applauds the decision because it will promote justice and harmony: “Since the majority of Christians are Dalits, tribals and other Backward Classes, they are bound to benefit from the move to reserve places for lower-cast candidates”, said Fr. Philomin Raj executive secretary of the Bishops’ Commission for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes which works to improve the living conditions of these people.
Caste discrimination is banned but the ancient Hindu system which dates to 1500 BC still remains powerful and legitimates political, social and cultural discrimination causing violence in rural areas. In the past Hinduism gave a religious coating to this separation affirming that castes were of divine origin. The caste system was closed and caste could not be changed. Gandhi said the “caste mentality” was the element which would bring the death of Hinduism.
In India representatives of over 160 million Dalits (literally “oppressed peoples” pushed to the edges of society) have fought for years against the discrimination innate in the caste system. Although India’s Constitution bans discrimination against any citizen, this unjust and oppressive system continues to exist. It is estimated that 3 million people in India live in a state of slavery and that laws against discrimination are totally ignored by the authorities. Caste system is a deviated form of social cushion which keeps millions of people under submission thanks to a political-religious ideology which fails to respect the dignity of the human person.
The Catholic Church in India has always fought this evil and perverse system working for the development and progress of the masses of disinherited marginalised peoples, following the principle that all men and women are children of the One Father, co-heirs with Christ, in possession of equal dignity, persons created in the image and likeness of God. For this the Church is attacked by Hindu fundamentalist movements which see in the work of human promotion undertaken by priests and missionaries a threat to the caste system.
The Indian Bishops explain: “Putting into practice the principles of equality and justice would undermine the caste system with significant political implications. Upper caste Indians appreciate Christians as long as they feed the poor but not when they try to change society and economy. However the Christian message is clear: globalised solidarity for the development of all human beings”. (Agenzia Fides 27/5/2006 righe: 30 parole: 374)
