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India's Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal concerning alleged caste-based discrimination against Dalit Catholics in a parish in southern India. This case marks a historic moment as it is the first time the court will address such an issue within the church.
The appeal reached the Supreme Court after the High Court of Tamil Nadu dismissed a petition from some Catholics of Kottapalayam parish in the Diocese of Kumbakonam. The state court ruled that the appeal was "not only superfluous" but also outside its jurisdiction.
The petitioners seek to end discriminatory practices, including maintaining separate cemeteries for upper caste and Dalit people. They challenged the dismissal in the Supreme Court, which accepted the case for hearing on February 21 and requested responses from 17 respondents, including church leaders and government officials.
Lawyer Franklin Caesar Thomas, representing the petitioners, stated that this is a "first in the history of India" where Dalit Catholics have brought a discrimination case to the Supreme Court. He highlighted ongoing caste-based discrimination faced by Dalit Catholics in Kumbakonam, including exclusion from church activities and celebrations due to beliefs that their contributions could "pollute" others.
Thomas noted that high caste families have allocated significantly more land for their cemetery compared to what is provided for Dalit Catholics. An unnamed Catholic leader confirmed that severe discrimination persists against Dalit Christians in Tamil Nadu and other states.
Dalits, historically marginalized as untouchables within Hindu society, often convert to Christianity or Islam seeking refuge from societal prejudice. However, these religions offer limited protection against such biases. Commentator Virgina Saldanha expressed mixed feelings about the Supreme Court's involvement: "It is heartening...but shocking that these poor Dalit Catholics had to approach the courts...to give them their rights against caste discrimination."
Saldanha emphasized that once baptized, individuals should not face discrimination based on caste or any other characteristic. Government data indicates 201 million people belong to socially deprived groups in India, with approximately 60% of India's Christian population coming from Dalit and tribal origins.
Bijay Kumar Minj reports for UCA News, covering East, South, and Southeast Asia.
