Christian Dalits Seek Same Benefits In India As Dalits of Other Faiths

Bellevision Global carries a long report today on the struggle in India of Dalits (formerly known as "untouchables") who are now Christians to obtain many of the special rights granted by law to Dalits of Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist faiths. A Public Hearing on their plight was held the day before the Supreme Court of India will hear an appeal by the Public Litigation Centre on the Constitutional validity of existing legislation that grants those rights on the basis of religious faith. The so-called "People's Tribunal" headed by former Indian Supreme Court Justice SB Sawant concluded: "It is necessary that the Christian Dalits are given the same benefits aids and advantages, facilities and opportunities as are given to Dalits of Hindus, Sikhs and Neo Buddhists on the basis of caste to which they belong before conversion and which they are carrying even today."