Further Delay in Dalit Christians Equal Rights Court Case in India

The Indian Supreme Court has again postponed proceedings in the case, filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation, on equal rights for Dalit Christians with other Dalits (formerly known as 'untouchables'), on Tuesday 3 April. The hearing this time was adjourned until mid-July 2007.

The delay is due to the failure of the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, mandated by the government in 2005 to examine this issue, to submit its long-awaited report. This report will inform the official response of the Indian government to the court, tells Christians Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

The case, filed in 2004, challenges the legality of excluding Dalits who adopt Christianity or Islam from the affirmative action system of 'reservation' in place for 'Scheduled Castes'. This system of benefits was designed as a measure to redress the socio-economic exclusion of Dalits, known officially as the Scheduled Castes, explains CSW.

The latest delay by the government in stating its position on this issue has been attributed in some sections of the Indian media to its reticence to generate political controversy in the lead-up to elections in Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, said: "Observers around the world are watching this case carefully, and it is disappointing that proceedings have been postponed yet again.

"We urge the Indian government to bring an end to this major restriction on the religious freedom of Dalits, who face losing significant benefits if they adopt Christianity or Islam. This is inconsistent with India's own constitutional protections against discrimination on the basis of religion, and with international standards on religious freedom".