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Addressing Caste Violence through Legal Framework and Advocacy- A Workshop

Dalit Christians who are not classified as SCs continue to face caste discrimination in the form of physical attack threats of conversion and social boycotts.  Dalit Christins are often exempt from the PoA Act as affirmed recent in high court judgments passed from few states. In this connection a two -day workshop on “Addressing Caste Violence through Legal Framework and Advocacy” from 24 – 25th June 2025 was held at NCCI Campus Nagpur.

Lawyers from Alliance Defending Freedom, facilitated the two-days workshop on constitutional and legal framework and highlighted the Laws which can protect the caste-based violence on Dalit Christians. Adv. Samuel David and Adv. Wilson Nathan were the resource persons for the two days.

Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer, General Secretary NCCI, in inaugural greetings shared that having legal knowledge is very much important tool for Dalit Christians and also encouraged Participants to be active members of sharing a gospel of liberation for our people through legal awareness, He also urged Participants to be equipped to face caste-based census challenges. 

The Key note address given by Mr. Mangesh Raj Dahiwale from the Buddhist fraternity Council Provided an Ambedkarite understanding of caste-based discrimination, underscoring that untouchability remains a stark reality in Indian society, and called for greater reverence for fellow human beings.

The NCCI – Commission on Dalit Concerns inaugurated a Mechanism to report and track the incidents of caste-based discrimination on Dalit Christians.

       

Rev. Dr. Asir Ebenezer and Fr. Pankaj from Believers Eastern Church, Commission Member of NCCI – CODC released the poster and circulated to the participants and NCCI member churches.

Around 28 participants from NCCI Member Churches attended the intensive workshop for two days.

Rev. C.P. Charles Sundarakumar – Program Executive, Dalit Chrsitan Support Porgam 

Rev. B. Asher Noah – Executive Secretary – NCCI – Commission on Dalit Concerns

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NCCI Condemns Inhuman Attack on Dalit Christians in Madhya Pradesh

CONDEMNATION OF INHUMAN ATTACK ON DALIT CHRISTIANS  ON THE NIGHT OF JUNE 22, 2025 IN NEPANAGAR VILLAGE, BURHANPUR DISTRICT MADHYA PRADESH- APPEAL FOR JUSTICE

We are deeply shocked, heartbroken, and outraged by the horrifying and inhumane incident that occurred on the night of June 22, 2025, in Nepa Nagar village, Burhanpur district, Madhya Pradesh. According to verified reports and viral video evidence, a mob of approximately 150 individuals forcibly entered the residence of a Christian pastor and subjected four Dalit Christians to brutal physical assault, humiliation, and public degradation. They were stripped, paraded semi-naked, verbally abused, and forced to bow before a Hindu deity under coercion — all on the false accusation of religious conversion.

This barbaric act not only violates the core values of humanity and dignity but also constitutes a gross infringement of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion, the right to equality, and the right to life and personal liberty under Articles 25, 14, and 21 respectively.

Even more disturbing are credible accounts that local police officers were either passive bystanders or complicit actors during the public parading of the victims. This failure of law enforcement, and alleged support to vigilantes, has deeply eroded the community’s faith in the rule of law and justice.

Such orchestrated violence against Christians — particularly against the marginalized Dalit community practicing Chrsitian Faith is part of a deeply concerning pattern of intolerance, intimidation, and communal targeting that must be urgently addressed.

We therefore demand:

  1. Immediate arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators involved in the assault, humiliation, and public shaming of the Christian community.
  2. Full compensation and protection to the victims and their families.
  3. Concrete action against those who misuse anti-conversion laws to target minorities.
  4. Implementation of strong measures to safeguard the rights and dignity of religious minorities and uphold India’s secular democratic ethos.

We stand united in our condemnation of this heinous attack. No religion or belief system condones such cruelty. We urge the Minister of Home Affairs Government of India, Chairperson: National Human Rights Commission, Chairperson: National Commission for Minorities, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and Director General of Police, Madhya Pradesh to act decisively and urgently — to uphold justice, restore dignity, and reaffirm our collective faith in the secular fabric of this nation.

Rev. Asir Ebnezer
General Secretary, NCCI

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