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Appeal to observe August 10th as “Black Day”

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 “Appeal to observe AUGUST 10th as Black Day”

 

Greetings from NCCI- Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns!

National Council of Churches in India-Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns appeals to the Churches and Christian organisations to proactively participate in observing ‘Black Day’ on 10th August 2017 to raise our protest regarding the continual negligence of the government to the cry for the rights of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in the country.

The infamous Presidential (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950 was signed on 10th August 1950 by the then President of India which says “No person who professes a religion other than Hinduism shall be deemed to be a member of the scheduled caste” which was later amended to include Sikhs (1956) and Buddhists (1990) in the Scheduled Caste net. But this law, as we are all aware of, keeps the Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians from the Scheduled Castes list. We request you to kindly observe ‘Black Day’ by organising protest meetings/ rallies/ demonstrations/ hunger fasts/ submitting memoranda/ candle vigils/ special prayers and other appropriate programmes in your church/institution to express our solidarity with the suffering Christians and Muslims of Scheduled caste origin.

The Churches and Christian organisations of NCCI are also requested to wear black badges on 10th August 2017 and display the posters, which are sent along with this letter/mail on your notice boards. We would appreciate if you send couple of photos and a brief report of the observance to the undersigned.

Thanking you in anticipation,

With regards,

In Christ,

Pradip Bansrior
Executive Secretary
Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns
National Council of Churches in India
Phone: +91 (712) 2561464, Cell No: +91- 9960727540
Email: pradip@ncci1914.com; Website: http://ncci1914.com

MAY DAY CELEBRATION WITH THE MIGRANTS

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Migrants form the largest part of India’s vast unorganised work sector. Their entry into the labour markets is marked with several endemic disadvantages. Devoid of critical skills, information and bargaining power, migrant workers often get caught in exploitative labour arrangements that force them to work in low-end, low-value, hazardous work. Lack of identity and legal protection accentuates this problem. The hardships of migrant workers are especially magnified when state boundaries are crossed and the distance between the “source” and “destination” increases. In India, thousands of people including men, women and children mostly Dalits and Adivasis, are forced to migrate from their homes to other places because of poverty, unemployment, limited economic activities, landlessness, global warming, environmental calamities, failure in agriculture due to uncertain monsoon and floods, deforestation, political persecution, poor medical care facilities in their native place, forced displacement due to so-called developmental work, and so on. Keeping these things in mind NCCI-Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns in partnership with Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concerns and Bahujan Rangbhoomi (street theatre group) celebrated May Day with more than 200 various labour migrants as well as locals from the Butibori and Hingna (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) MIDC area at Samvidhan Chowk (Constitution Square), Near Kasturchand Park, Nagpur on 1st May from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. This celebration was done through sharing of Experiences, Street Theatre performances, singing songs of Liberation and Expressions of social-workers.

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Consultation on “Prophetic Role of Church Leaders in the midst of Injustices”

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 National Council of Churches in India – Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns
in partnership with
EMW Germany, Christian Service Agency and Diocese of Durgapur-CNI
Consultation on “Prophetic Role of Church Leaders in the midst of Injustice”
Date:  4th – 6th July 2017,
Venue: Diocesan Bhavan, Aldrin Path, Bidhan Nagar, Durgapur (W/B)

 

Concept Note

Today, the condition of Christian Dalits, Tribals and Adivasis is very precarious. It is important to remind ourselves that most of these people embraced the Christian faith at a critical time while facing serious caste atrocities and oppression in their places. Their motives for converting to Christianity were spiritually social, and they joined the church seeking solace and liberation. The Church received them with enthusiasm and initially did quite well both in terms of Christian nurture and caring for their overall progress. However, today these communities are experiencing a deep religious crisis. One of the most crucial areas is related to the problem of ineffective pastoral care, particularly when it comes to standing for socio- economic and political justice. As a people coming from a background of acute suppression, understandably these Christian communities generally tend to see the Church as their refuge, and their pastor as a leader and protector of their socio-spiritual life. Therefore, the somewhat non-existent pastoral visitation and care in their places/villages has created deep disappointment among them, so much so that they feel that the church/pastor is not interested in them and their life.

Further, what is most unfortunate is that the Dalits, Tribals and Adivasis are a marginalized community within some of the church traditions, existing as a non-entity, with practically no say in the decision making process in the church. Thus they are not only denied upward mobility in the society at large but also ironically, within the church.

Because of their poor self-image, which is the result of centuries of oppression, Dalits and Tribals/Adivasis do not appreciate themselves enough and do not accept their identity as something to be proud of. They have, to a good extent, forgotten their history, culture and religion, and their awareness of being the original inhabitants of the country is not much alive. And today they face the twofold onslaught of globalization and communalism. Tribal culture is further eroded by the loss of their communitarian values and sense of nature, along with that of their lands and forests, which were both their livelihood resources and their ‘mother’, the matrix of their culture and identity. The Dalit culture was also a “culture of solidarity, togetherness, sharing and participation”. Their “national integration” is often wrongly understood and interpreted as assimilation into the majority community.

The development of a positive identity, self-image and culture, which is indissolubly linked with the regaining of their economic and political rights, is therefore essential for Dalit and Tribal empowerment. Under these circumstances, the Church should wake up from its complacency and do some honest soul-searching and be faithful to its calling. To play a relevant role in the Christian Dalits/Tribals/Adivasis struggle for liberation, the church in particular, and the urban Christians in general, should undergo a sincere change of heart. There is no doubt that the apathetic or indifferent attitude of these people is one of the serious obstacles in the task of empowering them. Our theology has to be updated and the understanding of the Gospel must be made more relevant. Though this is very important and necessary, it is not enough to change some socio-economic and political structures and foster a greater representation of Dalits, Tribals and Adivasis. Mentalities must be transformed. The Church has a great responsibility to defend the rights of these communities and promote their culture and identity, both within and outside the Church. She must also foster their internal unity and prevent a separation between Christians and other Dalits/Tribals.  As a Church we need to help to explore the meaning of true spirituality, to participate actively in the struggles of oppressed people and practice their faith in praxis.

 Christian concern for Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi liberation must be transformed into the mission of the Church. It would thus be one authentic expression of the Nazareth Manifesto of Jesus Christ.  This commitment to dalit and tribal/adivasi liberation is neither an extracurricular activity for a pleasant digression, nor is it a mere social service undertaken out of charity as other leaders may do. Since theology is not merely some ivory tower reflection but our commitment to the liberation of people, church leaders, pastors and all of us are called to express solidarity (a kind of incarnation) with struggling communities, and in so doing to reflect upon, interpret and articulate the gospel of salvation-liberation and fullness of life, thereby empowering the people in their struggles for justice, dignity and participatory space and holistic growth in society.

Hence it is urgent that a consultation is called on the prophetic role of Church Leaders in the midst of injustice suffered by vulnerable marginalized dalits and tribals/adivasis.

 

Objectives:

 Consultation Objectives:

  • To re-read the Bible from Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi perspectives.
  • To bring contextual awareness of Dalit and Tribal issues, and the imperative importance of Liberation, Equality, Justice and their Rights
  • To motivate the church/congregation to participate actively in the struggles of oppressed and marginalized people
  • To struggle for the participation of Dalits and Tribals in the decision making process of the Church and Society
  • To promote education for building Tribal/Adivasi and Dalit leaderships and developing their communication and managerial skills
  • To understand the problems of unemployment & education system among the indigenous people & Dalits.

Consultation Follow-up Objectives

  • To strengthen fellowship in the Church and to promote Unity
  • To sensitize local congregations to address the issue of atrocities inflicted upon Dalits, Tribals and Adivasis and the issues related to justice and peace.
  • To facilitate peace talks and agreements among conflicting communities in their respective regions.
  • To encourage churches to be prophetic in their advocacy for peace building
  • To strengthen the churches’ commitment for building peace by networking with other movements.

 

Pradip Bansrior
Executive Secretary
Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns
National Council of Churches in India

 

MAY DAY CELEBRATION WITH MIGRANTS

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National Council of Churches in India
Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns in partnership with
Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concerns and Christian Service Agency
Celebrates May Day with the Migrants
Date: 1st May 2017 (4.30 PM – 6.30 PM)
Venue: Samvidhan Chowk, Near Kasturchand Park, Nagpur (MS)

 

 CONCEPT NOTE:

 

In India, thousands people including men, women and children mostly Dalits and Adivasis, are forced to migrate from their home to other places because of poverty, unemployment, limited economic activities, landlessness, global warming, environmental calamities, failure in agriculture because of uncertain monsoon and floods, deforestation, political persecution, poor medical care facilities in their native place, forced displacement because of so-called developmental work etc. According to Economic Survey 2016-17, an average of nine million people migrate between states every year for either education or work, that’s almost double the inter-state migration recorded in 2001-2011.The increasingly protectionist policies of countries of destination which also constitute the labour receiving countries and the subsequent restriction on legal forms of migration, as well as the growing economic crisis with increasing unemployment, play a major role in the growing incidence of trafficking of Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi women and children across nations. As a result, mostly communities of Dalits and Adivasis get discriminated, are rendered jobless and helpless, and remain in poverty.

Migrants form the largest part of India’s vast unorganized work sector. Their entry into the labour markets is marked with several endemic disadvantages. Devoid of critical skills, information and bargaining power, migrant workers often get caught in exploitative labour arrangements that force them to work in low-end, low-value, hazardous work. Lack of identity and legal protection accentuates this problem. The hardships of migrant workers are especially magnified when state boundaries are crossed and the distance between the “source” and “destination” increases. Migrants can also become easy victims of identity politics and parochialism. Despite the vast numbers of migrant workers, the policies of the Indian state have largely failed in providing any form of legal or social protection to this vulnerable group. In a continuous state of drift, migrants are left out of the scope of state provisions at both ends – the “source” and the “destination”. The urban labour markets treat them with opportunistic indifference extracting hard labour but denying basic entitlements such as decent shelter, fair priced food, subsidized healthcare facilities or training and education. They are also usually out of bounds of government and civil society initiatives, both because of being “invisible” and for their inability to carry entitlements along as they. Rising labour mobility has cut across language barriers and has been more pronounced among women, stressing the need for more flexible social security schemes that cut across states to sustain the trend. Portability of food security benefits, healthcare, and a basic social security framework for the migrant are crucial – potentially through an interstate self registration process. Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns of NCCI in collaboration with THE MIGRANTS in the (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) MIDC area are trying to understand the groaning voice of the migrants in the times of onslaught of Neo- Liberalisation.

May Day is not a celebration of trade unionism only but of all humankind. It is not a conga-line of left-wing ragbags winding their way through the streets chanting slogans calling for the downfall of capitalism. May Day, particularly in today’s world – where ordinary hard-working people are increasingly left bleeding on the economic roadside from collateral damages inflicted by the global recession – is about family, freedom, and a fair go. It is about empowerment in a world where individuals still too often have little control over their own destiny when it comes to the workplace. The Church needs to welcome migrant people with an open heart as majority of them are Dalits and Adivasis in their congregation; they need to be included in church activities and ministries. The Church needs to show concern for the rights of migrants and stand with them to overcome all discrimination based on race, colour, culture and religions. The Church could work with NGOs, Labour Unions, Trade Unions and other religious communities for justice, equality of migrant people where they face discrimination such as in public places, workplaces, schools, colleges, institutions, other places etc. The Church could help them to settle in their new land and to facilitate their relationships with local people. Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns of NCCI consider it imperatives that the situation of Migrant workers in our contemporary context needs to be reviewed through in-depth study, analysis and solidarity in order to build a just society.

NCCI-Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi Concerns, Vidarbha Centre for Labour Concrns and the Migrants will celebrate May Day at Samvidhan Chowk, Near Kasturchand Park, Nagpur from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. This celebration will be done through sharing of experiences, Street Theatre, singing songs of liberation, and expressions of social workers thereby ushering a new sense of freedom of association, such as that of the fellowship of Churches and working families.

Objectives:

  1. To explore the magnitude of suffering and injustices that migration brings on individuals, families and communities.
  2. To engage and experience the joy in joining hands to liberate migrants from slavery and bondage that they may be taking home the good news.
  3. To exercise our freedom to respond to God’s compelling love to be involved in God’s mission of liberation by addressing issue of  migration.

Pradip Bansrior
Executive Secretary
Dalit and Tribal/ Adivasi Concerns
National Council of Churches in India

Manipur Situation: Appeal letters to Prime Minister and National Commission for Minorities, India.

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Manipur situation appeal from NCCI_Page_1

Manipur situation appeal from NCCI_Page_2

Manipur situation appeal from NCCI_Page_3

TEXT OF APPEAL LETTERS TO

  • SHRI NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA; and
  • SHRI NASEEM AHMAD, CHAIRPERSON, NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES, INDIA.

 

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Dalit Liberation Sunday observed across India

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In today’s context where our Dalit brothers and sisters undergo experiences of  dehumanization and denial of basic human rights, violence and  death, the birth of Jesus gives a wake up call to the oppressing communities, to liberate their minds from the ideologies of discrimination, domination, exploitation and oppression.  The member churches of the National Council of Churches in India and Theological Colleges in India observed Dalit Liberation Sunday all across the country on Sunday, the 13th of November 2016 and also on following Sundays. The theme for the Dalit Liberation Sunday (DLS) was ‘Administer Justice Daily! Deliver the Oppressed!’(Jeremiah 21:12).

Observance of DLS-2016 in All Saints Cathedral Church, Nagpur

All Saints Cathedral Nagpur celebrated ‘Thanks Giving Sunday’ on 13th November 2016 and gave an opportunity to Ms. Ngalaton Ningsen- Intern of Commission on Tribals/Adivasis to lead the intercessory prayers giving full freedom to incorporate prayers from the DLS worship order prepared by NCCI.

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Dalit Liberation Sunday-2016 observed jointly by the UELCI and the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Chennai

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Dalipresentation1t Liberation Sunday-2016 was observed jointly by the UELCI and the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Chennai on 13th November 2016 under the guidance of Rev. Dr. A. G. Augustine Jeyakumar- Executive Secretary of UELCI & LWF National Committee (I) and the Treasurer of the NCCI. Dalits are the opressed and marginalized people in India whom the churches should acknowledge and express solidarity with in their liberation process. The observance of Dalit liberation Sunday paves the way for churches to be more sensitive to the plights and concerns of Dalits.

On the eve of 13th November, the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College premise was customized to the frame of Dalit worship with the fire post and the Parai (the Dalit Drum) at the centre. The worship order was created incorporating Dalit lives and their thirst  for liberation. Before commencing  the worship, Mr. K. Immanuel Paul Vivekanandh, the Coordinator of Dalits and Adivasi Concerns Desk of UELCI welcomed the gathering and gave an introduction for the need of the Dalit Liberation Sunday and observing it in the present day context. The worship was on the  theme “Administer Justice Daily, Deliver the Oppressed”. The Students walked in procession with the Parai singing  Dalit songs. The Parai drum was beaten to invoke the presence of the God, as  is customary in the worship of the Dalit communities. The worship was led by Mr. K. Immanuel Paul Vivekanandh, and the worship elements were led by the Guru-Sishya fellowship of the Gurukul Lutheran Theological College, and Dr.Walo Temjen – Professor of Dept. of History of Christianity.

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DIGITAL REPORTING TOOL FOR DALIT EMPOWERMENT Launched.

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dalitvoicebadge

Mainstream media is often found to under-represent the interests of people in the margins of society such as the dalits in India who are outcaste. In this context, the lack of channels and inability to communicate their own concerns and bring to the fore their experiences of discrimination, has led to ignorance, unaddressed issues of inequality, inaccessibility to basic services, neglect, denial of rights and exclusion from the processes of decision-making and policy-making. The emerging consciousness about importance of Information and Communications Technology in the exploration of alternative media to create communication spaces can lead to the creation of pathways to digital frontiers that provide solutions towards affirmation of communication rights and implementation of inclusion concepts.

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NCCI Dalit Liberation Sunday November 13, 2016

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Respected Ecumenical Colleagues,

Warm greetings from National Council of Churches in India!

Dalit Liberation Sunday has become an important feature in the calendar of Indian Churches and Ecumenical movements. Over the years, there has been a positive response in sensitizing the local congregations towards concerns of Dalits, for no longer caste issue is visualized as a sociological issue or an issue outside the purview of church but more seen as an issue challenging the core of our faith and gospel.

The theme for this year’s Dalit Liberation Sunday is “Administer Justice Daily! Deliver the Oppressed!” (Jeremiah 21:12). We take this opportunity to invite you to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016 in your church/local parish/institution in a creative way and rededicate your commitment to the Gospel by accompanying the unaccompanied. However, if you already have  some  programme  on  13th November  2016,  you  may  think  of celebrating this Special day on a later Sunday i.e. on 20th November 2016. Herewith we are sending you hard copies of posters and a special order of worship for the day. You may take the freedom to use the entire worship order and translate it in your vernacular language or adapt parts of it.

We would appreciate if you send a brief report along with a few photographs of the observance to the undersigned. Let us join to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016.

Thanking you in anticipation. With regards,

In Christ,

 

Pradip Bansrior

Executive Secretary

Commission on Dalits and Tribals/ Adivasis

National Council of Churches in India

dls2016-pic

 

DOWNLOAD DALIT LIBERATION SUNDAY 2016 LITURGY

NCCI DALIT LIBERATION SUNDAY 2016

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dls2016-picRespected Ecumenical Colleagues,

Warm greetings from National Council of Churches in India!
Dalit Liberation Sunday has become an important feature in the calendar of Indian Churches and Ecumenical movements. Over the years, there has been a positive response in sensitizing the local congregations towards concerns of Dalits, for no longer caste issue is visualized as a sociological issue or an issue outside the purview of church but more seen as an issue challenging the core of our faith and gospel.
The theme for this year’s Dalit Liberation Sunday is “Administer Justice Daily! Deliver the Oppressed!” (Jeremiah 21:12). We take this opportunity to invite you to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016 in your church/local parish/institution in a creative way and rededicate your commitment to the Gospel by accompanying the unaccompanied. However, if you already have some programme on 13th November 2016, you may think of celebrating this Special day on a later Sunday i.e. on 20th November 2016. Herewith we are sending you hard copies of posters and a special order of worship for the day. You may take the freedom to use the entire worship order and translate it in your vernacular language or adapt parts of it.
We would appreciate if you send a brief report along with a few photographs of the observance to the undersigned. Let us join to observe Dalit Liberation Sunday on 13th November 2016.
Thanking you in anticipation. With regards,

In Christ,

Pradip Bansrior
Executive Secretary
Commission on Dalits and Tribals/ Adivasis
National Council of Churches in India

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