Dalit status did not end with conversion to Christianity

Dalit Christians: Right to reservations
Camil Parkhe

Published by:
Indian Society for Promotion of Christian Knowledge
New Delhi


Dalit status did not end with conversion to Christianity
Casteism is unique to Indian culture. Even if a person does not believe in caste, there is no escaping it. An Indian is known by his/her caste and sub-caste. Marriages and other social interactions are based upon caste considerations.
Even the communists who proclaim themselves as atheists or agnostics could not shed caste, much to their own discomfort. Late socialist leader and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Nanasaheb (N G) Gorey often said that he was a Brahmin by ‘accident’. But society refused to accept his plea and the caste identity prevailed.
Veteran Marathi poet Rev Narayan Waman Tilak, social reformer and nationalist Pandita Ramabai and Rev Nilkanthshastri ‘Nehemiah’ Gore were all prominent Marathi Christians who made valuable contributions in their chosen fields. Ironically, the society in Maharashtra remembers them as Chitpawans, a sub caste of Brahmins, who converted to Christianity.
Thus in the eyes of the society, caste and sub caste of an individual cannot be erased even after giving up Hinduism and embracing Christianity. The stranglehold of caste on the Indian mind is best captured in the Marathi proverb Jaat Naahi Ti Jaat (What cannot be cast off is caste).
One’s parents and place of birth cannot be changed. The same applies to one’s caste too. One cannot help it. Christians who belong to the erstwhile untouchable castes in the Hindu social structure experience this everyday.
Who are the dalits ?
There are many definitions of the term ‘dalit’, all of which apply to the dalit Christians who formerly belonged to the Hindu untouchable castes in Maharashtra. Therefore, these dalit Christians can stake their claim to reservations and other concessions granted under the Indian Constitution to all members of the erstwhile untouchable communities in the country. .
Dr. Shankarrao Kharat, former Vice Chancellor of Marathwada University, while discussing the concept of dalits had said: “The term dalit includes castes which as per the Hindu religion and culture were considered as ‘untouchables’. The term also includes erstwhile ex-criminal tribes and the tribals (adivasis) who live in jungles and ravines like wild animals, away from human civilsation.1
“Since these people were kept far away from the Hindu culture permanently, they remained culturally backward. From the Hindu cultural point of view, the social and economic levels of all these castes and tribes are almost similar. Their woes more or less are the same. High caste culture has intertwined them in a single entity. All of them share a similar predicament. They have been kept away from villages and communities for generations. The slavery of these castes and tribes is social, economic and also cultural, therefore the term dalit includes all these neglected classes of castes and tribes.2
Pragat Padavidhar Sanghatana (Progressive Graduates Association), a Pune-based organisation, had launched an intensive movement in the 1970s to demand reservations and other facilities for dalit Christians in Maharashtra. The Government of Maharashtra included the dalit Christians in the State in Other Backward Caste (OBC) category in 1978. The entire credit of this goes to the movement launched by the young dalit Christians inspired by Fr Matthew Lederle, Fr Leo Desai and Fr Christopher Shelke.
The Progressive Graduates Association had published a book ‘Upekshit Khristi Samaj’ (Neglected Christian Community) to press the demand for reservations to dalit Christians. Even after embracing Christianity, these members of former Hindu untouchable communities could not get rid of the stigma attached to their existence, described in the book as follows:3
‘’There is a proverb in Marathi ‘ Gao tethe Maharwada’ (meaning ‘wherever there is a village, there is a colony of Mahars’). The colonies of the Mahars and Mangs (two predominant castes of untouchables) continue to be referred to as Maharwada and Mangwada even after these persons have become Christians. Conversion to Christianity has not changed the way their colonies are referred to, just as mere conversion has not brought any changes in their social or financial status. Their standard of living, language, foot habits and culture remain the same as other family members and relatives who have either continued to be Hindu Mahars or Mangs or have embraced Buddhism. All of them are erstwhile untouchables. Notwithstanding the conversions, in rural areas the upper caste people even today refer to the dalit Christians by their erstwhile caste names and call them as Mahars or Mangs.
Many Christian Mahars and Mangs were and still are dependent on uppercaste families of their villages. They are compelled to perform low-level tasks in their villages. Till the last decade, the dalit Christians would carry out degrading tasks like disposing off dead cattle. The untouchables, who also included Christians, went door to door and ate whatever food was thrown at them. While walking on village roads, they had to carry their footwear in hands, which had to be locked behind their backs, while the mandatory earthen pots hung around their necks to serve as spittoons. Their touch and shadow was considered inauspicious and they were prohibited from drawing water from public wells. They had to walk all the way to the lower end of the river to fill water. The dalit Christians’ dwelt with other untouchables, and took isolated roads, away from the main approaches used by upper castes, for moving around the village. Due to their very low social status, all the avenues of economic progress and prosperity remain closed to the dalit Christians. There is absolutely no distinction at all between other erstwhile untouchables and dalit Christians. The only difference is while the other dalits like dalit Hindus, neo-Buddhists and dalit Sikhs have been granted reservations and various other concessions by the Government of India, the dalit Christians have been denied the same till date. The government and the society have many misconceptions about the dalit Christian community, which is the primary reason for this community having remained neglected for several years. ‘’
‘‘Conversion has not changed the conditions of the dalits’’
Dr. Kharat
Dr. Shankarrao Kharat has discussed in his Marathi book ‘ Dalit Wangmay Prerana wa Pravrutti’ that there is no change in the conditions of the dalits even after their conversion to Buddhism. Dr. Kharat says, “During Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s movement of conversion, millions of untouchables gave up Hinduism and embraced Buddhism. These Buddhists are not Hindus by religion anymore. They are neo-Buddhists. Although they are now neo-Buddhists, they have been exploited for centuries by rich classes and high caste people. Therefore they have remained economically backward. They live in poor conditions. Secondly, the high caste people continue to look down upon them socially. Therefore, the neo-Buddhists are compelled to continue their fight for freedom from high caste attitudes. 4
The state of people converted into Buddhism, as described by Dr. Kharat, holds true for all those who have been converted from untouchable communities into Christianity or Sikhism. Similarly, if the untouchables embrace Islam or any other religion, the argument will still be applicable to them. Conversion to Buddhism, Sikhism or Christianity has not brought any changes in the conditions of the untouchables except the change in their religion. Hence, all these erstwhile untouchables, irrespective of their present religion, have natural right to reservations and other concessions. No logic or principle of natural justice can deny dalit Christians the right to reservations.
The condition of the erstwhile untouchables who got converted to Buddhism, along with Dr Ambedkar, did not change after conversion. Therefore in 1960, the government of Maharashtra decided to extend reservations and other concessions to the neo-Buddhists. In 1990, the V. P. Singh government took a decision to extend reservations and other concessions to neo-Buddhists across the country. Dalit Sikhs were granted reservations and other concessions at the national level as early as 1956. The decisions of the Government of Maharashtra and the Government of India to extend reservations to these non-Hindu dalits were in conformity with the principle of natural justice. However, this principle of natural justice has not been applied to the dalit Christians in Maharashtra, or at the national level.
In some southern and northern Indian States, however, various concessions have been extended to dalit and tribal Christians on par with dalits belonging to other religions.
One of the reasons for not extending the reservations and other concessions to dalit Christians is that the very concept of ‘dalit Christians’ was not acceptable to governments. Fortunately, a gradual change in the attitude of the governments is being observed during the past few years. Due to the intensive struggle by dalit Christian groups, some south Indian States have recognised the dalit Christians and extended various concessions to them. In north India, the tribal Christians do get benefits of reservations and other concessions even after their conversion to Christianity. The former Speaker of Lok Sabha P. A. Sangma and former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Ajit Jogi are tribal Christians. Unlike the dalit Christians in Maharashtra, the tribal Christians in north India and the northeastern States, are well organised, united and well aware of their rights. These tribal Christians of northeast do not tolerate any kind of injustice meted out to them in the name of their religion.
Even the Maharashtra government has acknowledged the social and economic backwardness of the dalit Christians. The people from the erstwhile untouchable Hindu communities who embraced Christianity are now included in the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category. The government has thus accepted that the dalit Christians are erstwhile untouchables. But why have they been included in the OBC category and not the Scheduled Castes (SCs) category like the untouchable communities, which converted to either Buddhism or Sikhism?
The denial of reservations and concessions to the dalit Christians in the country is a grave injustice to this community. The issue raised by the dalit Christians is: “If erstwhile untouchables get converted to Buddhism or Sikhism, their right to reservation and other concessions remains intact. Then, why the same logic or principle is not extended to the dalit Christians”.
The Supreme Court of India posed the same question to the Central government during the hearing of a public interest litigation seeking inclusion of the dalit Christians among the Scheduled Castes to secure reservations for this community. The Central government has not responded so far and the case is pending. However, the movement for reservations and other concessions for dalit Christians, which has been going on for the last four decades, is gaining momentum.
References:
Dr. Shankarrao Kharat. ‘Dalit Wangmay: Prerana Ani Pravrutti’ Publisher- Inamdar Bandhu Prakashan, 637, Sadashiv Peth, Pune- 411 030, First edition 1978, (Page 16).
As above (Page 17,18).
‘Upekshit Khristi Samaj’ Samajhit Mala 1, Authors- On behalf of ‘Pragat Padvidhar Sanghatana’ – Antony Salve, Pratap Pandit, Sonyabapu Waghmare, and Joseph D. Adhav. Publisher – Fr Julius D’Souza (S J), Marg Prakashan, Thomas Stevens Nivas, 2008, St Vincent Marg, Pune –411 001, First edition 1979. (Pages 15,16).
Dr. Shankarrao Kharat, ‘Dalit Wangmay: Prerana Ani Pravrutti’ (Page 18).

Matmauli pilgrimage in Haregaon starts today

Saturday, September 18, 1999

Indian Express
Matmauli pilgrimage starts today

Camil Parkhe

PUNE, Sept 17: Preparations are in full swing for theannual yatra of Matmauli which will be held at Harigaon inShrirampur taluka of Ahmednagar district on September 18and 19. Over a lakh Christians from different parts ofMaharashtra are expected to assemble at the pilgrim centre,described as the Pandharpur of the Marathi-speakingChristians in the state.The feast celebrations are organised every year tocommemorate the birthday of Mother Mary which falls onSeptember 8. For the convenience of outstation pilgrims,the yatra is held on the Saturday and Sunday succeedingSeptember 8. This year, the yatra was postponed by a weekon account of polling on September 11.
The annual feast of Mount Mary, held at Bandra in Mumbaion September 8, is the largest congregation of the Christiancommunity living in the urban areas of the State. TheHarigaon yatra, on the other hand, is the largest assembly ofthe Marathi-speaking Christians in the State. Christianity inwestern Maharashtra is over 140 years old. The goldenjubilee anniversary celebrations of the Matmauli yatra wereheld last year.The yatra of Matmauli or Blessed Virgin Mary was startedon September 8, 1948 by Fr. Gerhard Baader, a German Jesuit who was the then parish priest at Harigaon village. He hadstarted the yatra for the convenience of poor Christians iwho could not afford to attend the Mount Mary feast celebrations at Bandra. This yatra has become one of themost important events for Christians. Fr. Baader died 18months ago at the ripe age of 94. The main event will be themass concelebrated by Bishop of Nashik Thomas Bhaleraoand over 100 priests on the evening of September 18

At 101, Fr Neuner has a quiet birthday

Sakaal Times Pune August 20, 2009
At 101, Fr Neuner has a quiet birthday celebration CAMIL PARKHE
Pune: Fr Joseph Neuner, veteran Indologist, theologian and spiritual advisor to Mother Teresa, celebrated his 101st birthday at Sanjeevan Ashram, headquarters of the Pune Jesuit province, here on Wednesday.Fr Neuner, born on August 19, 1908 at Feldkirch in Austria, has been a Puneite since 1938. As professor of theology at Jnana Deep Vidyapeeth, he has taught thousands of priests, some of whom rose to be bishops and cardinals.
The centurion was in a cheerful mood, receiving greetings from people when this Sakaal Times reporter called on him on Wednesday. The priest was greeted by his fellow Jesuits and others on his 101st birthday."Fr Neuner did not want a big celebration and so we did not invite many people for the birthday," said Fr Anil Soares, one of the priests residing at the Jesuit provincialate.
Although his movement and activities have now been restricted, Fr Neuner still follows the community routine at the Jesuit house. He has meals and tea along with other Jesuits. Refusing to be assisted, he comes to the dining hall with the support of a walker. He converses with others on the latest happenings although in the recent past, he has been hard on hearing. "But he never misses his exercise of walking in the passage with the walker,"adds Fr Soares. Neuner, who for a few years, stayed on the first floor of `Sanjeevan Ashram' was shifted to the ground floor when he neared his century.
Before his arrival in India, Neuner had completed a doctorate thesis at Rome-based Gregorian University on the theme, `The idea of sacrifice in the Bhagvadgita'. During World War II, Neuner along with other German nationals in the country, was detained by the British government and was incarcerated for over five years, initially in Ahmednagar and later at Dehradun.
Neuner served as an expert at the Vatican Council II, which is said to have ushered in reforms in the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church had appointed Neuner as censor theoloigicus in 1999 for the proceeding launched for beatification of Mother Teresa.His job was to study the nun's published writings to find if they contained any heresy. The Mother was declared a Blessed, a step towards sainthood, a few years later.

Neuner Centenarian inspires all

Centenarian who inspires all
Camil Parkhe
Sakaal Times
Wednesday, October 01st, 2008 AT 10:10 AM
Tags: centenarian Joseph Neuner
...
All’s well: Joseph Neuner
PUNE: The German who left his country 70 years back to make Pune his home, Fr Joseph Neuner, who celebrated his 100th birthday on August 19, is one of the few centenarian Puneites who have seen the city changing over the years.
The priest with a sharp mind and a soft heart had taught theology at the De Nobili College in the city for several years. Some of his students are now bishops in India and abroad. Born in Feldkirch in Austria on August 19, 1908, he was ordained a priest in 1936 and came to India in 1938.
During the Second World War, he along with other German nationals in India, was imprisoned and detained first in Ahmednagar and later in Dehradun.
Fr Neuner was having evening tea at his residence, Sanjeevan Ashram, on Dhole Patil Road when this correspondent called on him on the eve of the Senior Citizens Day.
Being one of the experts from India who participated in the Second Vatican Council held in Rome from 1963-65, he had also drafted the speech for Pope Paul VI when the pontiff addressed a multi-religious gathering in Mumbai in 1964.
“Even at this age, the centenarian is very particular about his daily routine exercise and likes to walk around with the help of a walker,” says Fr Edwin Sequeira (80), a companion of Fr Neuner at Sanjeevan Ashram. “He also likes to eat sweets, especially chocolates,” he added.
Fr Neuner wrote his autobiography ‘Memories of my life’ when he completed 95 years in 2003.
“The clergyman enjoys normal diet, including non-vegetarian. Two years back, he broke his hip bone after a fall and since then moves around with a walker. Although now he is hard of hearing, he detests the idea of using a hearing equipment,” said Fr Sequeira, adding, “He keeps himself abreast of happenings around the world and likes to be part of the conversation at the dining table.”

moving images NFAI book review

Published in Sakal Times, Spice (Sunday edition) on Jul 19 2009, Page 3
Reels of history, now in words
-- CAMIL PARKHE


Before the age of teleefore the age of television, live telecasts and Breaking News, it was the Indian News Reels, shown in Indian theatres before the screening of films, that provided the only moving images of the `news' to the viewers in this country. The news were at least two or three weeks old, but they were a treat savoured by all those who revered some national and international leaders and heroes of those days.Documentary filmmaker Prem Vaidya, who recorded history as it unfolded in those days has now also penned down his experiences of those moments in his book Memorable Assignments on Moving Images.
Vaidya, who retired as director/producer of the Films Division of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has chronicled some of the memorable assignments in his 31-year-long career. These assignments were completed when mediapersons were not equipped with gazettes like mobiles, OB vans or even the landline phones. Among his notable assignments, Vaidya writes about the last couple of days of the late prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri who died at Tashkent.Before going to bed on that fateful night, Shastri was taking a brisk walk in the drawing room in Tashkent and Vaidya captured his figure moving around in silhouette till he ran out the film in his camera.
A few hours later, he was woken up from his sleep only to be told that the prime minister was dead.
During 1965 war with Pakistan, Vaidya moved with his camera into the battlefield in the eastern sector documenting how the Indian soldiers destroyed Pakistan's so-called invincible Patton tanks. His footage, filmed as he moved into the Pakistan territory along with the camouflaged Indian soldiers, was one of the rare coverages of the real action in war in the 1960s. A few years later when Indian forces entered the then East Pakistan to help the local Mukti Bahini soldiers fight against West Pakistan's tyranny, Vaidya was once again where the action was. He had the privilege of filming for posterity the scene of Pakistan's Commander Lt Gen Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi signing the surrender treaty in the presence of India's military representative, Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora.

Vaidya also takes along the readers to his other equally challenging Ocean to Sky -Ganga Boat Expedition led by the legendary Mount Everest hero Sir Edmund Hillary. Another interesting chapter in the book is Vaidya's documentation of the vanishing primitive tribes of Andman and Nicobar islands.
With his narration of the news events, the filmmakerturned-author succeeds in leading the readers to that bygone era of black and white photos and films, and relive those moments through his own lenses.The author has an impressive style of recreating the past with minute details. The book is indeed a documentary which would be also useful to those interested in study of media.

Marathi book on Fransalian missionary Fr Jacquier

News published in MISSIONARIES OF St. FRANCIS DE SALES (Fransalians) Pune Provincial website, January 2009

Release of Book on Fr. Jacquier Gurien msfs
30th December 2008, on the day of the Final Profession of 18 of our brothers from Fransalians Seminary a book on Fr. Jacquier Guerin of Ghogargaon was released by Fr. Mario D’souza msfs in the presence Fr. Sebastian Annaikandathil the provincial of Nagpur Province and large number of confreres and guests. Fr. Mario said that normally it would be someone from the Congregation who would write about its history or about its members, but today it is someone who has been touched by the great missionary work done by the congregation who writes about an msfs and about the congregation. It only goes to show the appreciation and the acknowledgment of the good that we as msfs have done, and are doing. Mr. Camil Parkhe a renowned journalist from Pune Sakaal Times expounds the history and the mystery of this great saintly Fransalian Jacquierbaba. He attempts to narrate objectively the spiritual journey of Jacquierbaba from France to Ghogargaon and how he worked untiringly for the up-liftment of the people of Marathawada. This book is certainly a source book of inspiration based on the life and the spirit of Fr. Jacquier Guerin a committed Fransalian Missionary and Visionary. Our Province has sponsored the complete printing and the publication of this book in Marathi as part of our province commitment during this Salesian Year. We thank Mr. Camil Parkhe for his commitment and dedication in bringing out a book on a Fransalian.

Catholic Church's marriage preparation course

GET TUTORED NOW BEFORE TYING THE WEDDING KNOT…
Camil Parkhe
Monday, March 02nd, 2009 AT 11:03 AM
Tags: Christian youths, marry, widding kont, preparation course
Youths attend a marriage preparation course which concluded at Nav Sadhana hall in the city on Sunday. The Catholic Church has made the two-day course mandatory
Pune: Christian youths planning to marry in the next few months this year will have to secure a certificate of having attended a marriage preparation course before they face the altar and say ‘I Do’.
The two-day course for the would-be brides and bridegrooms deals with basic lessons in relationship between husband and wife, intimacy between the two, sex education, responsible parenthood and family planning.
A batch of 80 boys and girls who planned to get married during the next few months attended the course in preparation for their marital life, held at Nav Sadhana Diocesan Pastoral Centre on Tadiwala Road on Saturday and Sunday.
The Catholic Church has made the marriage preparation course as mandatory for marriages solemnised in churches. The Vatican has directed bishops all over the world to organise the courses with the help of experts.
“You may wonder how we celibate priests can guide you about marital life,” said Pune Bishop Valerian D’Souza in his inaugural address on Saturday.
“But many times, people seek our counselling on drug addiction of one of their family members or about some family crisis. We are here to help you to start your married life, so that you are equipped to face the challenges ahead,” he said.
“The Church conducts these courses so that the youths know certain issues, problems and difficulties likely to be faced by newly wed couples and how to face them,” said Fr Roque Alphonso, course coordinator. The Catholic Church does not recognise divorces although it does annul marriages in some rare cases.
“We encourage the would-be husband and wife to attend the course together. The course also involves thought sharing of the two,” said Fr Alphonso. Often the course also provides the first opportunity for the boy and girl to talk to each other, he said.
Except two lectures by the clergy, all the other lectures during the course are given by married couples. Dr Noella Godinho, medical administrator of Sahyadri Hospital in Hadaspsar, guides the youths on sex education, causes of infertility and natural family planning while her husband, Philip, speaks on sexuality, intimacy, the myths and reality of living together.
“The course content is good. It offers insights into many issues related to married life,” said Ajit Waghmare from Sahakarnagar who attended the course along with his fiancée, Pradnya, from Nashik. These courses are held at Navsadhana every two or three months in English, Hindi and Marathi. “The boys and girls come for the course just to secure the mandatory certificate but while going home, they are always happy that they attended it,” says Fr Alphonso.