Christian council condemns anti-dalit remarks | UCAN India
The All India Christian Council (AICC) has called for a zero tolerance policy on statements that violate the dignity and identity of dalits and tribal people in the country.
The Christian councils comments came after author Ashis Nandys comments at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur last week.
During a panel discussion at the festival Nandy said reportedly said the "most corrupt people come from Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes."
His statement came in for strong reactions from all sections of society and Jaipur police registered a case against him.
This is a test case for the law of the land, which is quick to penalize the down trodden but hesitates when it comes to the elite or the politically powerful, said Joseph D Souza, AICC president, in a press statement.
This assertion for equality at all levels and of dignity and identity comes in conflict with the ego and false pride of the upper castes and classes, he added.
John Dayal, secretary general of the council, said the organization had great respect for freedom of speech and intellectual activity, but such freedom should not become a license for hate or spreading canards about communities and peoples groups.
The council said Nandys statement was not borne out by facts. It was indeed rooted in prejudice.
The All India Christian Council (AICC) has called for a zero tolerance policy on statements that violate the dignity and identity of dalits and tribal people in the country.
The Christian councils comments came after author Ashis Nandys comments at the Jaipur Literature Festival in Jaipur last week.
During a panel discussion at the festival Nandy said reportedly said the "most corrupt people come from Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes."
His statement came in for strong reactions from all sections of society and Jaipur police registered a case against him.
This is a test case for the law of the land, which is quick to penalize the down trodden but hesitates when it comes to the elite or the politically powerful, said Joseph D Souza, AICC president, in a press statement.
This assertion for equality at all levels and of dignity and identity comes in conflict with the ego and false pride of the upper castes and classes, he added.
John Dayal, secretary general of the council, said the organization had great respect for freedom of speech and intellectual activity, but such freedom should not become a license for hate or spreading canards about communities and peoples groups.
The council said Nandys statement was not borne out by facts. It was indeed rooted in prejudice.
