Author:
Publication: Webindia123.com
Date: December 14, 2005
The Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) and the
Christian Progressive Movement (CPM) today organised a massive protest against
the anti-Dalit policies of the Church of South India (CSI), intensifying the
prolonged agitation for securing social justice within the
Church.
The CPM has put forward a charter of 30 demands,
mostly pertaining to equal opportunities for the marginalised and the Dalits
in the Church-run institutions in the Madurai-Ramnad Diocese.
The CPM has accused the CSI Bishop, Rev Christopher
Asir, of indulging in nepotism and favouritism by appointing his own kith
and kin to top offices in most of the CSI institutions. The Charter was a
virtual chargesheet against the Bishop, listing out the various anti-Dalit
steps and financial bunglings.
DPI General Secretary Thol Thirumavalavan,
addressed the day-long protest meeting held at the Tamukkam Grounds in the
morning.
Initially, a protest demonstration was planned
on the arterial Azhagarkoil Road, but with the reluctant Bishop, agreeing
for talks to resolve the issues raised by the CPM, the organisers decided
to put it on hold and instead conduct a protest meeting.
