Dalit Christians ask Obama to support their cause
New Delhi (AsiaNews) - To mark the first state visit of President Obama to India, Fr. Charles Irudayam, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Development of the Indian Bishops' Conference, today spoke with AsiaNews about the situation of Dalit Christians in India: "If the Indian Christians, particularly the Dalits, ask the President of the United States Barack Obama to tell the Indian government that discrimination based on religion is a violation of international human rights, then the government should grant equal rights and benefits for both Christian and Hindu Dalit. "
A presidential provision of 1950 limited benefits only to Hindus. Although this clause was subsequently amended to include Buddhists and Sikhs, Christians and Muslims were excluded.
Most Indian political parties and governments that have succeeded over time have repeatedly come to an agreement on extending some of the benefits for Dalit Christians also. But in 60 years no one has taken this decision.
Sister Jane Joseph of Adorers Convent in Mumbai, says: "As a Christian I expect the Dalit Christians are asking Obama to talk about religious tolerance during his meeting with Indian President Pratibha Patil Devisingh, and how the government should amend the Constitution to grant privileges to Dalit Christians. "
The U.S. president Barack Obama landed in Mumbai today, and as a first step went to the Taj Mahal Hotel, where he paid tribute to the 166 victims of the attack that hit the hotel in 2008. About 5 thousand security personnel - including the U.S. and Indian, Secret Service, as well as elite commandos - have been deployed around the main centres of the presidential visit . During the three days - 6 to 9 November - Obama will try to focus on opening up Indian markets to American business, and will address a number of policy issues, including the strategy on combating terrorism.
With Obama's visit, both India and the United States hopes to strengthen their global strategic partnership. Many of the issues on which the two countries should sign agreements include: agriculture, space programs, healthcare, clean energy, and the elimination of restrictions on dual-use technologies in India.
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