Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Empower Dalits

Sir, — There has been much debate on the Tamil Nadu Government's ordinance against forcible conversion. But what does it mean to Dalits and tribals whom it presumably claims to protect? Even the Gods have failed them, the God they did not choose and the God they can now no longer choose. The Constitution and the ordinance are empty words to them. Their sub-human status remains the same.

It is preferable to have an entire village converted and united by religion than to see the people massacred in the name of religion. Most of us choose our own way to salvation or damnation. Why deny a section of people the right to worship who or what brings them dignity or solace? Why insult them by assuming that they are gullible?

Churches and the clergy are also divided by caste prejudices. Dalits have only recently been rehabilitated. Not too long ago Dalit Christians were discriminated against even after death, in cemeteries. The need of the hour is to empower the Dalits and tribals and not a divisive legislation.

Beatrix D'Souza,
Chennai

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Yet another nuclear power
• Chinks in disinvestment
• The politics of our times
• The future of open universities
• Rise of the far right
• Leading a cow's life
• Hate campaigns
• Who is in control?
• Empower Dalits
• Kashmir's verdict
• Conveyor belt

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu