Over 80% of Indians are Hindus. Hindus are born into different castes.
Though India has many laws to minimize the discriminatory effects of the caste system, discrimination still continues, especially in rural communities.
About 20% of Hindus are “untouchables” (or “Dalits”). They are beneath the caste-system, ie, they don’t even belong in a caste as far as Hinduism is concerned. However, in the eyes of the government, they are called the “scheduled caste.” Because India is a democracy, and each adult has one vote, the Dalit vote can make the difference between victory and defeat in many elections. Therefore, politicians cannot ignore them. In fact, in recent years politicians have passed many pro-Dalit laws to win their support. Many of these laws are affirmative action laws guaranteeing quotas for Dalits in university places, governmental jobs, etc.
In the past, most of the Christian converts were Dalits. Since they were so badly treated by their fellow Hindus, many of them decided to leave Hinduism. Also, since they were usually the poorest of the poor, many of them “converted” to Christianity to obtain material benefits (eg. free rice, medicines). On the other hand, very few high-caste Indians ever converted because to do so was to leave their privileged position. Furthermore, if they converted to Christianity they would be assumed by others that they were just “another Dalit rice-bowl Christian.” On the odd occasion when I met a high-caste convert, he would readily inform me that he was from a convert from such and such a caste!
Over 90% Dalits
It was interesting to see that most churches in the villages were in the “outskirts” of the village because the higher caste Indians would not readily welcome so many Dalit Christians in their neighbourhood.
One of the reasons why we have so many Hindu converts (from many different castes) in our church in Singapore, is that these Hindus who have come to Singapore to work are surprised to discover that so many of their Singaporean bosses are Christians. They had always in their Indian experiences assumed that only the lowest classes became Christians. In Singapore, the stigma of being a Christian was removed.
In recent years because of new Indian laws that guarantee quotas for Dalits, a reverse trend has taken place. Now, many Dalits do not want to convert because they will lose their quotas to university places and jobs if they convert to Christianity.
Though the door to the Dalits seems to have “closed,” the door to the other castes is more open because of urbanization, education and globalization. The “new Indian” is open to new ideas, as never before. Every major corporation has its eye on India, knowing that business opportunities are everywhere. But where are the Christians missionaries?
Will you pray that God will give us wisdom to reach not only the Dalits but also all Indians?
Read more about India on www.goducate.org
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Do you know that the caste system rules !! Even in the church. There are separate seating places in some of the Indian Churches. Well in some other places separate churches of same denomination for different castes ! Bondage to freedom or Freedom to bondage. This was the result of man made strategic approach to reach a caste group and not the area. The Caste system of India has origins in Hindu god. How can christian be associated with that. ? How can be Christian be Dalit when his position in Christ is something different.
Wonder how many would remain christians if the Indian Government says no benefits to Christians if the renounce their caste !
RP
Tough choices. -