Indian Supreme Court ruling could deprive ‘untouchable’ Christians of protections

An Indian Supreme Court ruling could deprive Christian converts from among the many lowest castes access to affirmative motion programmes and other advantages.

India’s Dalits, or “untouchables”, suffer intensive discrimination and marginalisation consequently of the Hindu caste system, although that is alleviated somewhat by constitutional protections that, amongst other things, reserve spots for them in educational institutions and public services.

Such discrimination leads many Dalits to convert to religions with no caste system, resembling Christianity or Islam, nonetheless the Supreme Court ruling states that only Hindus, Sikhs or Buddhists can legally be considered members of a “Scheduled Caste”.

The judgment could mean that converts to Christianity will lose access to constitutional protections and affirmative motion programmes. Any Christians wishing to regain access to such advantages would must convert back to Hinduism.

In an odd twist, the Supreme Court quoted the Bible in its ruling: “It could also be observed that Christianity, by its very theological foundation, doesn’t recognize or incorporate the institution of caste. The foundational Christian scripture, The New Testament, states: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither is there female and male, for you might be all one in Christ Jesus.” 

An area partner of Open Doors said, “The judgment by the Supreme Court is critical – the structure of India gives residents the proper to freedom of faith. Though the individuals are free to convert, they’re limited or don’t have any legal protection against caste discrimination.

“This judgment puts the Christian community in a vulnerable position and fear of more persecution, assault and hatred. Several Dalit and Tribal Christians previously years have been victims of physical assault, social boycott, hatred and false allegations of forced conversion to Christianity.

“The attacks against them have only increased, and with this judgment, the environment will turn against Christians.” 

The Supreme Court ruling got here consequently of an appeal for a Christian convert who complained of being assaulted and verbally abused with caste-based insults. An initial High Court ruling stated that the convert couldn’t expect caste-based protections if his own faith didn’t accept the validity of the caste system.