Socio-Economic and Educational Status of
Scheduled Caste Origin Christians of North West India

By Mr. M. Madhu Chandra
Human Rights Activist,
Email: finicy@gmail.com

Introduction:

This short summary on Socio-Economic and Educational Status of Scheduled Caste Origin Christians of North West India is prepared for the purpose of submitting to National Commission of Religious and Linguistic Minority (NCRLM), known as Justice Misra Commission headed by Justine Ranganath Misra as Commission Chairman. Supreme Court of India has asked NCRLM to give its opinion about granting Scheduled Caste status to Scheduled Caste origins converted to Christians.

This summary is also attempted to clarify the incorrect, bias, irrelevant Data presented by Centre for Research, Planning and Actions (CERPA) during one day workshop organized by CERPA on Social-Economic and Educational Status of Christians on August 10, 2006 at India International Centre, New Delhi.

Solid and reliable national data on socio-economic and educational status of scheduled caste origins converted to Christians is not available, which can be presented to Justice Misra Commission. However, mosaic forms of data on socio-economic and educational status of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity is available.

This summary is to proof that scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity remains the same socio-economic and educational backwardness. They are known socially by their caste names, suffer social injustice just as they suffer before their conversion to Christianity. The data presented below is the reference to the work of Vidya Sagar J. Dogar’s work on Rural Christian Community in North West India in 2001 under initiation of The Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, New Delhi[1]

To study the socio-economic and educational status of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity, Mr. Dogar selected sample population of 3869[2] individuals from 750 families who are from 550 rural families of Punjab, 100 rural families of Haryana, 50 rural families of Himachal Pradesh and 50 rural families of Jammu and Kashmir from 80 villages from 15 districts from above mentioned 4 North Western states of India.[3] The sample collected by Dogar is academically acceptable and credential.

1. Background History of the Demand of Scheduled Caste Status of Scheduled Caste Origins Converted to Christianity

In the framing of Indian Constitution, Para 3 of Article 341 denies scheduled caste status to any scheduled caste belonging to other faith and religion different from Hinduism. Scheduled caste Sikhs after four years of struggle got back the scheduled caste status in 1956 when Para 3 of Article 341 was amended by including scheduled caste origins converted to Sikhism. Scheduled caste origins converted to Buddhism also got after forty years of denial and struggle in 1990 when Para 3 of Article 341 was second time amended by including scheduled caste origins converted to Buddhism.

Scheduled caste origins converted to any other faith and religions different from Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism, have been denied their birth, fundamental and constitutional rights of scheduled caste citizens.

Scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity have been denied their birth and constitutional rights for last 60 years. After repeated assurance given from political and commission after commissions’ recommendation to include scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity, finally it has come to knock the door of Indian justice system. Now Indian justice system has setup Justice Misra Commission and asked Commission to give the opinion on granting scheduled caste status to scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity. 17.5 millions Scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity have looked up to Justice Misra Commission to render the justice that has been denied for last 60 years.

2. Scheduled Caste Origin Christian representations in North West Indian Population

Total Christian population in four states of North West India (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir) represents only 3,47,977 according 2001 census of India. In breaking them up, Punjab has 2,92,800, Haryana 27,185, Jammu Kashmir 20,299 and Himachal Pradesh 7,687.[4]

Mr. Dogar’s finding of Christians in four north western states reveals 95% of them are from Scheduled caste origins, which is in figure 3,30,572. Dogar says, “Thus about 95 percent of these conversions are recorded to be from the lower castes of the Indian society, which are now addressed as Dalits.”[5]

Dogar’s finding from sample population collected for study reveals that 17.43% of Scheduled Caste origin Christians are from fifth generation, 67.71% from fourth generation, 8% from third generation, 4.43% from second generation and only 2.43% from first generation.[6] The presence of 2.43% of first generation Christian suggests new converts.

3. Employment and Economic Status of Scheduled Caste Origin Christians in North West India

The general occupation of Scheduled caste communities in India is the labor class community. So is the same even after their conversion to any other religion particularly to Christianity. Employment Pattern is related to the economical status of Scheduled Caste Origin Christians.

3.1. Employment Status

30.16% of Scheduled caste origin Christians is employed in labor class. The labor employment is classified into two patterns: One – 72.41% employed as laborers and two – 27.59% in other occupations and jobs.[7]

Labor Patterns of Scheduled Caste Origins Christians

Sr. Labor Patterns Percentage
1. Seasonal farm labors 14.08%
2. Night soil labors 11.48%
3. Bonded labors 05.09%
4. Child labors 02.49%
5. Casual labors (daily hire basis) 47.93%
6. Migrant brick-kin labors 05.44%
7. Public road construction labors 00.83%
8. Grain market labors 04.85%
9. Rural handicraft labors 01.66%
10. Skilled labors 06.15%
Table 1[8]

Table 1 shows the labors patterns of 72.41% of labor forces while 27.59% in other occupations and small jobs.

3.2. Economic Status

Dogar selected 1268 working labors to study the economical status of scheduled caste origin Christians. Table 2 reveals their economic status.

Labor Patterns of Scheduled Caste Origins Christians

Sr. Family Patterns Amount per annum Percentage

1. Family incomes up to Rs. 5000 per annum 03.57%
2. Family incomes up to Rs. 10,000 per annum 42.14%
3. Family incomes up to Rs. 15,000 per annum 24.29%
4. Family incomes up to Rs. 20,000 per annum 12.14%
5. Family incomes up to Rs. 25,000 per annum 17.14%
6. Family incomes above Rs. 25,000 per annum 00.71%
Table 2[9]

The table 2 shows that (category 1+2), that is, 45.71% scheduled caste origin Christians in North West India are below poverty line. The remaining families though low income can be considered above the poverty line while only 00.71% falls in a comfortable income group which is very low in percentage.

3.3. Land Possessions of Schedule Caste Origin Christians

Dogar’s study also reveals the total agriculture land in possession of Christians recorded as per the study is 199 acres. Dogar writes,

“Accordingly the per-capita agriculture land of Christian comes to 0.051 acre which is nearly 200 square yard, whereas the per capital agriculture land holding in Punjab as per the state figures is 0.50 acre, that is, 2000 square yards. Thus as per the state calculations, the Christians who have a population of about 2.50 lacs, should possess more than one hundred thousand acres of agriculture land. But there are only 10.43 percent of Christians who possess agriculture land, out of which 7.86 percent hold land only upto 3 acres, 1.29 percent hold land upto 5 acres, 1.14 percent hold land up to 10 acres, and 0.14 percent hold land upto 20 acres.[10]

Dogar also found that only 0.30% Christians hold commercial land which varies from 2 to 10 marlas, while 99.57% of Christians do not hold any commercial land.[11]


3.4. Live-stock Possessions of Schedule Caste Origin Christians

Dogar found out from his study that 54% of Christians own upto 1 or 2 cattle heads, 2.29% Christians own upto 3 cattle which indicates only domestic use. Only 1.14% Christians possess up to 5 cattle head and 0.71% possesses more than five cattle which can be considered of some commercial value. The remaining 41.86% Christians do not possess any live-stock.[12]

4. Educational Status of Scheduled Caste Origin Christians in North West India

The education among the scheduled caste origin Christian of North West India has declined during the period of 1960 to 1990. Dogar points out.[13]

Decade wise Education Level of Christians

1960s E. Y Campbell’s, “The Church in Punjab,” (estimated) 20%
1970s Maqbul Caleb’s, “Survey of Amritsar Diocese,” (estimated) 20%
1980s Diocese of Chandigarh, CNI, CDP Survey (8 villages) 15%
1990s Present study figure, as recorded below… 10%
Table 3[14]

Dogar’s finding reveals the following data on scheduled caste origin Christians, which suggest their educational backwardness remains the same even after converting to Christianity.

Overall Education Profile of Rural Christians

Sr. Category Total Male Percentage Female Percentage
1. Educated 10.00% 266 07.00% 134 03.00%
2. Literate 36.00% 856 22.00% 533 14.00%
3. Illiterate 54.00% 967 25.00% 1113 29.00%
Table 4[15]

Table 4 is statistical analysis of scheduled caste origin Christians of North West India, where only 10% of the sample population taken for study reveals as educated. This finding reveals the educational backwardness of scheduled caste origin Christians and their educational backwardness remains the same like any other scheduled caste communities of any religions.

Table 5 classified the 10% educated categories into educational qualifications, where 55% of them are just matriculation.

Sr. Class Total Total % Male % Female %
1. Matric 222 55.50% 40.50% 15.00%
2. +1, +2 & Under Graduate 97 24.25% 14.25% 10.10%
3. BA, B Sc, B Com 23 05.75% 03.75% 02.00%
4. MA, M Sc, M Com 1 00.25% 00.25% 00.00%
5. Junior Professional 19 04.75% 02.00% 02.75%
6. Senior Professional 3 00.75% 00.50% 00.25%
7. Under Training 35 08.75% 05.25% 03.50%
Table 5[16]

5. Social Status of Scheduled Caste Origin Christians of North West India

Dogar has studied the social status of scheduled caste origin Christian on the basis of their physical and social environment in which they live, their relational behavior and mingling with other communities. Dogar finds out,

A specific question was asked, as to ‘whether they have access to the houses of the other communities?’ 95.43 percent says ‘yes’ they have access to the houses of other communities’, 3.71 percent say ‘no’ and 0.86 percent do not comment. Out of the 95.43 percent who say that they have access to the houses of other communities, 42.96 percent reveal that they have access only up to working place, 5.24 percent say that their access is only up to the court yard, 15.42 percent say up to the veranda, 30.84 percent say that they can go up to the sitting room and 5.54 percent claim that they can go up to the kitchen.[17]

In supporting to Dogar’s statement, allowing low caste people upto kitchen can be the sign of accepting the person in their social setup. Only 5.54% access to the kitchen of other communities and 94.46% not allowed entering the kitchens of other caste and communities suggest that scheduled caste origin Christians still suffer social discrimination like other low caste communities.

Social Status of Scheduled Caste Origin Christians

Sr. Status Number Percentage
1. Very high social status 0 00.00%
2. High social status 0 00.00%
3. Moderate social status 212 30.71%
4. Low social status 457 65.29%
5. Very low social status 28 04.00%
Table 6[18]

Table 6 reveals Dogar finding of social status of scheduled caste origin Christians. Categories (4+5) of low and very low social status reveal 69.29% while only 30.71% feel moderate social status.

6. Conclusion

Ever since India got independent scheduled caste origin Christians have been demanding to restore the scheduled caste status which is deleted from Para 3 of Article 341 of India Constitution. Political party after parties, commission after commissions know for sure that scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity remain the same socio-economic and educational backwardness as any of scheduled caste communities of other religions.

Now scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity, after 60 years of social injustice by denying constitutional provisions, have come to knock at the door of Indian Justice System.

Dogar’s work on social-economic and educational status of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity has substantiate data analysis which has academic credential to prove the socio-economic and educational backwardness of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity in four North Western states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir.

Therefore, Justice Misra Commission and other consultative institutions which have been asked by Justice Misra Commission to study the socio-economic and educational status of scheduled origins converted to Christianity must accept the work of Dogar.

Dogar’s work is also reliable on the subject Justice Misra Commission is seeking because sufficient population of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity is found in the North Western state of India where Dogar has taken the study, does reflect National socio-economic and educational status of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity.

Therefore I recommend the Justice Ranganath Misra Commission and other consultative institutions that the commission has asked to study, to consider taking into the account of socio-economic and educational status of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity, collected Christian scholars like Dogar himself.

The Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS) has also conducted similar study for other states. CISRS says, the similar socio-economic and educational status of scheduled caste origins converted to Christianity are found out in the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala.[19]

Foot Notes

[1] Vidya Sagar J. Dogar, Rural Christian Community in North West India, ISPCK, New Delhi, 2001.
[2] Ibid., p.55.
[3] Ibid., p.49.
[4] http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/Summary%20Christians.pdf
[5] Dogar, op.cit., p. 55.
[6] Ibid., p.54.
[7] Ibid., p.68
[8] Ibid., pp.70-76.
[9] Ibid., p. 85.
[10] Ibid., p.89
[11] Ibid.,
[12] Ibid.,
[13] Ibid., p.101.
[14] Ibid.,
[15] Ibid., p.102
[16] Ibid.,
[17] Ibid., pp.141-142
[18] Ibid., p.146
[19] Ibid., p. xi.

Reservation Day Declared and celebrated

All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations
H.O: B-113, Sarvodaya Enclave, New Delhi – 17. Tel 26960022, 26534559

www.scstconfederation.com

Dr. Udit Raj – National Chairman
President – Indian Justice Party

Press Release

Reservation Day Declared and celebrated

New Delhi: August 7, 2006.

In a jampacked Talkatora Stadium, on the occasion of Reservation Day, Dr. Udit Raj today stated that former Prime Minister Shri V. P. Singh could have been honored like this long before what we are doing today. He stated that forces of social justice and progressive leaders like V. P. Singh former Prime Minister of India, A. B. Bardhan of CPI, Raj Babbar – MP and founder leader of Jan Morcha, Dr. Joseph D’souza – President of All India Christian Council and many more have all come together to further the cause of social justice.

All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations and Indian Justice Party to make this day that is August 7 of each year as 'Reservation Day', the day of social justice when poor, deprived farmers and exploited come together and discuss their wretched conditions and devise ways to improve their conditions. Despite bad health of Shri V. P. Singh, he remained a crusader for poor, SC/STs, OBCs and JJ clusters.

The President of Indian Justice Party, Dr. Udit Raj, stated today that the Veerapa Moily Committee should be rejected. The Oversight Committee headed by him has recommended implementing reservation to OBCs in phases. Unfortunately, there are contradictions in Congress itself in so far as implementation of 27% reservation is concerned. However, HRD Minister, Arjun Singh's intention is clear that it should be implemented at one go. Dr. Udit Raj patted CPM, CPI and DMK for favoring the implementation of reservation at one go.

On 7th August, 1990, then Prime Minister, Shri V. P. Singh announced to implement the Mandal Commission Recommendations. The present reservation of 27 % is rooted in Mandal Commission. Dr. Udit Raj said that the Indian Justice Party will observe the Reservation Day on 7th August, every year. Former Prime Minister Shri V. P. Singh was honored on the occasion.

Dr. Joseph D’souza said in his speech, “Indian Dalits and Backward class communicates suffer social, political, economic injustice for centuries. They suffer injustice at the hands of Indian media power, Indian political power and those economic power holders. Only people who understand the plights of Indian Dalits and backward class communities can give justice to them.”

V. P. Singh in his concluding remark mentioned about Indian reservation system started way back with 3000 years old Hindu caste system. He says, “Designating education only to Brahmins, Ruling authority only to Kshetriyas, Trade only to Vaishyas, and labor only to Sudhras and Dalits.” Mr. Singh further said, “Injustice done to Indian Dalits and backward class communities are more a death penalties.”

People criticized V. P. Singh when he attempted to implement Reservation for backward class communities according to the recommendation of Mandal commission. Mr. Singh says, “Although my political leg was broken in 1990, the very ball I kicked scored the goal and the ball never came back and it is achieving its own goal.”

The All India Confederation of SC/ST Organizations is fighting for reservation in private Sector, which Manmohan Singh govt. had promised it in Common Minimum Program but still it has not been fulfilled. There are other urgent issues, which Confederation will continue raising like backlog in govt. services and bringing out of Reservation Act.

Press Released to Media by,

Mr. M. Chandra, National Secretary, All India Confederation of SC/ST Organisations.