Mumbai (AsiaNews) - "The caste system and discrimination are the true face of Hindu ultra-nationalist forces. As long as there is discrimination, there can be no real development of society," said Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). He spoke to AsiaNews to comment recent statements by Mohan Bhagwat, president of the Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu fundamentalist organisation.
Commenting the appointment of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) campaign manager in next year's parliamentary elections, Bhagwat said that "Hindutva is the only way to bring about change in the country."
According to Hindutva, Hinduism is a logical whole that brings together ethnic, cultural and political identities. On the basis of this, the RSS has carried out acts of violence and discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities in India.
"Hindutva advocates have always opposed social equality," the GCIC leader said. "How can they talk about change, if their doctrine promotes an ideology of uniformity? Or if they are the first supporters of the caste system, which is responsible for millions of Dalits living in pathetic conditions?"
What is even worse, Sajan George said, is the "charade of justice at the expense Dalit Christians", who "suffer double discrimination".
In 1950, parliament adopted Article 3 of the Constitution on Scheduled Caste and Tribes. Under its provision, economic, educational and social rights and privileges were granted to Hindu Dalits. Eventually, in 1956 and 1990, the same status was granted to Buddhists and Sikhs, excluding Christians and Muslims.
"The living conditions of Dalit Christians," George said, "are no different from those of the other scheduled castes."
The paradox is that they are denied the few extra benefits given to the country's scheduled castes on religious grounds, this in a country like India that is democratic and where state and religion are separate."