Indian Church marks ‘Black Day’ for Dalits

Black Day called by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) was marked with meetings, rallies, demonstrations, hunger fasts, submitting memoranda, candle vigils and other forms of demonstrations  at the State Capitals and district headquarters to show solidarity with the Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims who are denied their Constitutional rights. 

In Delhi Black Day was observed  from 4.30 to 5.30 pm at Jantar Mantar organized by CBCI, NCCI and NCDC. Most Rev. Anil Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and Christian and Muslim leaders participated in the protest.

Their demands were that the  Union Government should come forward to resolve the issue immediately without further delay and that the Union Government should give appropriate reply to the query of the Supreme Court based on the recommendation of Justice Ranganath Misra Commission’s report.

In the diocese of Mangalore,  a protest Rally was organized to demand the rights of Dalit Christians in front of the DC’s  office  at 3.30 pm. Mr M.P Noronha the Advocate and Secretary of DPP of Mangalore diocese and Professor Vincent Alva addressed the gathering in front of the DC’s office. Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu the Vicar General of the Diocese, Fr Onil D Souza the Convener of the rally many priests sisters laity were present. After the protest the memorandum was given to the DC demanding justice for Dalit Christians.

The Constitutional rights for Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims are denied based on religion for more than 67 years.  Since 2009 the Dalit Christians and Muslims have been observing “Black Day” on Aug. 10, the anniversary of the signing of the controversial presidential order Paragraph 3. (CBCI)