Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 126 – Wed 01 Aug 2001

—————————————- INDIA: ‘UNTOUCHABLES’ DESERTING HINDUISM —————————————-

There is currently a significant trend amongst Dalits (also known as ‘untouchables’) to embrace liberation from their humiliating poverty and dependency, through literacy, education, improved health, and a new economic independence. This could cause considerable racial and religious unrest to erupt across India because of the way the caste system works. Dalits and ‘other backward castes’ make up 75% of India’s population.

Dalits are at the very bottom of India’s caste system, which is a form of apartheid. They suffer extreme social discrimination and segregation, frequently being also victims of violence because of their low caste position. The caste system is integral to Hinduism and is often a large part of what is meant by ‘Hindu culture’.

The whole structure of the Hindu nationalist movement (Hindutva) is dominated by the upper castes, who are the main beneficiaries of the system. The militant RSS was founded in 1925 with the mission of creating a Hindu state. The BJP, currently in government, is the political wing of the RSS. The BJP needs Hindu votes to secure its parliamentary majority.

Human Rights Watch estimates that there are at least 160 million Dalits, desperate to flee the oppression and degradation of the Hindu caste system. More than a million Dalits are planning a mass conversion to Buddhism ceremony in October and the government is refusing to grant them permission to hold the gathering. This is causing considerable tension.

Dalits are also coming to Christ in massive numbers, drawn to the gospel message and demonstration of unconditional love, the equality of all people before God, and salvation freely and impartially offered through Christ. In a service in southern India on 29 June, 1000 Dalits left Hinduism and became Christians. Dalit leaders are running an organised ‘Quit Hinduism’ campaign that is generating an enormous response from Dalits across north India, particularly in Orissa, Maharastra, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

On 27 July, an anti-conversion bill was initiated in the national Indian parliament. As the Hindu nationalists are the single largest political block in Parliament and dominate the present coalition government, they hope they can pass the bill. The government is also planning other oppressive measures such as cutting off all foreign funds to missionary organisations. If passed, that would severely restrict religious freedom and make it difficult for Christian organisations to function.

In Orissa, there are currently 19 new believers on charges of violating provisions of (ironically) the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, by embracing Christianity. They had failed to notify the authorities of their intention to become Christians.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* peace in the Dalit communities in the midst of tumultuous change.

* ‘all those Christian leaders who are thrown into the midst of these tumultuous changes. Pray for wisdom, compassion and courage.’ Dr Joseph D’Souza (All India Christian Council).

* grappling particularly with the challenge of nurturing an influx of Christian converts with only a meagre knowledge of the faith.

* the Church in India. ‘I want to encourage people to pray for the Church in India, that the Christians will stand firm and not be afraid, that they will know that God is in control.’ Gladys Staines (widow of martyred missionary Graham Staines).

‘I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.’ Psalm 140:12

* God to overrule in the political process; for wisdom for parliamentarians and for effective international advocacy to safeguard freedom of religion for everyone in India.

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ——————————————————————- INDIA’S ‘UNTOUCHABLES’ DESERTING HINDUISM

India’s Dalits (the ‘untouchables’) are rejecting Hinduism as they look to other religions to be free from the oppressive and degrading poverty that Hinduism’s caste system forces on them from birth. Across India, Dalits are turning to Christ in great numbers, drawn by his liberating gospel message and the equality of all people before God. Dalits are pursuing education and economic independence to lift them out of their poverty trap and give them dignity. However, this is seen as a huge threat by the Hindu nationalist movement, which is dominated by the upper castes who are the beneficiaries of the caste system. The Indian government has responded by moving to adopt draconian legislation that would restrict conversions and cut off foreign funds to Christian missions and other NGOs. Considerable tension is mounting and India’s Christian leaders are asking the world to pray for India.

—————————————————- Please pass this along to others with attribution to World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF) Religious Liberty Prayer List <> —————————————————-

The WEF Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

August 2001.

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