Catholic dioceses across Tamil Nadu in south India renewed their call for Scheduled Caste (SC) status for Dalit Christians on August 10, organizing rallies, peaceful protests, awareness programs and interfaith gatherings to demand equal constitutional protection.
The programs, coordinated by the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC) Commission for SC/ST, marked August 10 as a “Black Day/Day of Awakening” and focused on the removal of Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which excludes Dalit Christians from the SC list.
Programs were held across the state, including in Chennai, Vellore, Villupuram, Salem, Thanjavur, Madurai, Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Palayamkottai and other districts. Participants included bishops, priests, religious men and women, political representatives, advocates, social activists and leaders of other Christian Churches and faith communities.
In central Tamil Nadu, Bishop Jeevanandam of Kumbakonam, Bishop Arokiyaraj of Tiruchirappalli and Bishop Sagayaraj of Thanjavur joined a joint program in Thanjavur. Christian leaders from the Church of South India (CSI) and Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC), political representatives and interfaith leaders also participated.
In Chennai, Archbishop George Antony of Madras-Mylapore joined the program at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in Perambur. Bishop Neethinathan of Chengalpattu participated in a separate program in his diocese.
In southern Tamil Nadu, dioceses including Palayamkottai, Kottar, Tuticorin and Kuzhithurai jointly organized a program in Palayamkottai. Bishop Stephen of Tuticorin and Fr. Motcha Rajan, Apostolic Administrator of Palayamkottai, were among the Church leaders present.
In Villupuram, Archbishop Francis Kalist of Pondicherry-Cuddalore joined the program, along with Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, OFM Cap., secretary of the TNBC SC/ST Commission, political representatives and leaders of other faiths.
The programs emphasized that the demand for SC status is rooted in equality, social justice, human dignity and constitutional rights. Organizers called for continued advocacy through democratic and constitutional means.
The participation of Hindu, Muslim and other religious leaders was highlighted as a sign that the issue extends beyond the Christian community and concerns broader questions of equality and social justice.
The TNBC SC/ST Commission said the statewide initiatives strengthened coordination among dioceses and created greater public awareness of the legal and social concerns facing Dalit Christians.
The commission plans to continue constitutional-rights awareness programs, youth and women’s participation, diocesan initiatives, interfaith cooperation and dialogue with political and social leaders.
Bishop Jeevanandam of Kumbakonam, chairman of the TNBC SC/ST Commission, and Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, OFM Cap., its secretary, said the commission remains committed to advocacy for justice, equality, human dignity and the rights of Dalit Christians.
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