Dalit Christians have been fighting for their statutory rights, including the reservations for the last five decades. The Government of India run by a coalition of different parties has not only remained indifferent to their subhuman existence but also repeatedly betrayed them, depriving them of their right to reservation.

At a meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 15 March 2006 under the auspices of the All India Christian Council (aicc), about 500 Dalit Christian leaders representing the Dalit Christian community in India decided to boycott political parties “that do not clearly support Dalit Christian reservation as it is now being deliberated upon in the Supreme Court following a Public

The Dalit Christian leaders in Kerala are deeply disappointed by the lukewarm response of the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre. They believe once again under the guise of the Justice Mishra Commission the Government would betray the cause of Dalit Christian while replying in the Supreme Court on 5 April 2006. Dalit Christian Leaders are shocked by the way the members of the Justice Mishra Commission carried their investigation in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 

Dalit Christian Leaders have stated that the forthcoming elections in Kerala and Tamil Nadu are critical to their struggle for equal justice and decried the 50-year-old discrimination based on religion against Dalit Christians. Hence, they have committed to mobilising all Dalit Christians in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to vote only for those parties that have publicly stated their open support for the Dalit Christian Reservation.  

So far at the national level only the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress have failed to come out with open support for Dalit Christian Reservation issue. All other parties including Janata Dal, Telugu Desam Party, Bahujan Samajwadi Party, Samata Party, Communist Party of India – Marxist, Communist Party of India, All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam have come out in support of Dalit Christians.    

All India Christian Council (aicc) President Dr Joseph D'Souza said, "Religion pertains to one's personal freedom. Blocking the reservation to Dalit Christians on the basis of religion amounts to denial of constitutionally guaranteed right to the Christian Dalits. Dalit Christians are not begging for anything. They are only demanding their statutory rights and freedom.   

Further the Dalit Christian Leaders call upon the Church in Kerala to bring an immediate end to caste discrimination in the Church. The practice of the caste system in the Church in Kerala is a shame to the message and life of Jesus Christ who reached out to all sections of society and came to create a new casteless, race-less humanity. 

Dr Joseph D’souza said, “The All India Christian Council has called for a proportional representation in all leadership positions in Churches and Denominations in Kerala and across India. It is not just and acceptable that when more than 75 per cent of the Church is made up of Dalits, Tribals and Other Backward Classes that over 80 per cent of leadership positions in Denominations and Missions are held by upper caste Christian leaders. Brahminical imperialism within the Church must end. The Council believes that there is a just, non-violent and Christian way of bringing an end to Brahminism within the Church.”    

Signed by

Dr Joseph D’Souza
National President, All India Christian Council

Rev. Dr. Moses Swamidas
Secretary – All India Christian Council Kerala Chapter

Rev. Dr. O.M. Raju Kutty
Coordinator – All India Christian Council Kerala Chapter

Rev. Dr. Zac John
Convenor – All India Christian Council Kerala Chapter