All India Christian Council (aicc) observed a protest day at Tumkur in Karnataka on 10 December 2007, coinciding with the celebrations on Human Rights Day. The protest was organised to demand that the Central government grant full rights to the Dalit Christian community and protect them from increasing atrocities.

More than 1000 people, including secular and progressive intellectuals and Christian leaders, participated in the programme. “Freedom of religion is our fundamental right and the Constitution prohibits any sort of discrimination based on caste, creed, colour, religion, sex and place of birth,” said Sam Joseph, the aicc regional secretary. “However, the 20 million Dalit Christians in India are struggling to get equal rights and social justice even after six decades of Independence. The Dalit Christians across India are deeply frustrated over the indifference of the UPA Government,” he added.

The National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, also called the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission, recommended the grant of Scheduled Caste privileges to the Dalit Christians and asked the Central Government to de-link religion as a requirement in the 1950 Presidential Order. The National Commission on Scheduled Castes also upheld the Dalit Christians’ demand for equal rights. “We have been expecting a positive stand from the UPA Government,” Sam Paul said.

Sam Paul said Karnataka had seen a sharp increase in the incidence of atrocities against the Christians. “We are greatly concerned over this development and it distresses us that Christians who are engaged in activities to help the needy and educate the poor are often beaten up and falsely accused by antisocial elements,” he said.

David Simion, the former Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly, said people who banished peace-loving religions like Jainism and Buddhism had no right to say they were preserving the culture and traditions of India. Y Mari Swamy, the Convenor of Karnataka Dalit Christian Federation, said, “We will go to any extent to make sure our rights are granted, for we have lost faith in governments who are least bothered about the minority Christians.”

Rev MC Prasad, from CSI, KDF was more concerned about the silence of the Church when it came to protesting for the Dalit Christians’ rights. Mujeed, the district president of IUML, said, “In all other parts of the world people have the right to decide for themselves what to eat. In India certain fanatic groups decide what others should eat and what not to eat.” Narayanayya, the Chairman of CITU Tumkur, promised all support to the Dalit Christians. Many others from different progressive groups and churches spoke at the protest meet.

Later the protesters handed over a memorandum to the District Collector to be forwarded to the Prime Minister demanding the implementation of reservation to the Dalit Christians.