Dalit Christians have asked the church leaders to stop the growth of casteism in the churchs of India. Delegates of Poor Christian Liberation Movement (PCLM) form different parts of the country, recently met at the Constitution Club, New Delhi and unanimously opposed the Ranganath Misra Report.
The PCLM President, R L Francis said that we oppose the implementation of this report since it is contrary to the principles of Christianity and will “legalise” caste system in Christianity. Reservation on the basis of “religion” is unconstitutional as the caste is not recognised under the Canon laws.
PCLM also appealed to the ‘World Council of Churches’ and the ‘Vatican’ to appoint a religious commission to determine whether ‘caste’ system should be applicable on Christianity or not. An appeal was also made to the Islamic intellectuals around the world to examine the recommendations of the Ranganath Misra Report in the light of the teachings of the Holy Quran.
Indian Christian Righteous Action Forum (ICRA) President, Joseph G Anthony opposed the caste based reservation for Christian community in India as it would institutionalise the discrimination in Christianity which is against its very basic principle. Such a move would darken the future of poor Christians in India.
Christian leaders, PB Lomeo, Fr. William Premdass Chaudhary and Meharban James said that the church bodies are demanding reservation from the government of India whereas their own institutions are neglecting and ill treating the Dalit Christians.
On March 18, 2010 the PCLM passed the following resolution unanimously:
