‘Black Day’ protest in Palayamkottai on August 10 seeks SC status for Dalit Christians

Palayamkottai, August 2: A regional-level ‘Black Day’ protest will be held in Palayamkottai on August 10 demanding Scheduled Caste (SC) status for Dalit Christians and urging the Union Government to act on the long-pending demand.

The protest is being jointly organised by the Catholic dioceses of Palayamkottai, Kottar, Thoothukudi and Kuzhithurai, along with the South Zone Dalit Christian Liberation Movement, the Indian Dalit Christian Welfare Movement and representatives of several Christian denominations.

Political and social organisations, including the CPI(M), Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the Untouchability Eradication Front, are also expected to participate in the demonstration.

The protest will begin at 4 p.m. near the Lourdu Nathan Statue in South Bazaar, Palayamkottai. Fr. Motcha Rajan, Administrator of the Diocese of Palayamkottai, will preside over the gathering.

South Zone Diocesan SC/ST Commission secretaries Fr. Jeeva, Fr. Maria Soosai, Eugene, Fr. Arokia Amalraj and Fr. Arokia Jenis are expected to lead the protest. Jesuit priests from St. Xavier’s College are also expected to participate.

Former Rajya Sabha member Vijila Sathyananth will attend as the chief guest and address the gathering. Organisers said she and leaders of allied democratic organisations would urge the Union Government to amend existing legislation and extend SC status to Dalit Christians.

The organisers have described the protest as part of the continuing campaign for equal constitutional safeguards for Dalit Christians, who have long demanded that caste-based discrimination and social disadvantage be recognised irrespective of religious conversion.

By Catholic Connect Reporter