Relates to Christians belonging to economically backward and socially underprivileged classes in India.

The complete alienation of Dalits from resources like land, water, and agricultural implements has led to the collective demand for an equal share in productivity. This book discusses the range of socio-economic and cultural problems faced by the Dalit community. The movement advancing the rights of Dalits took place both before and after independence, however they varied in intensity, and concerned land ownership and fair wages, self-respect, social dignity, and the demand for equal rights. This movement appeared to have significantly changed the very mindset and attitude of upper caste people to restrain themselves and not to resort to any discrimination or humiliation of Dalits. However, this seems to have been only a temporary phenomenon, and the practice of suppression and humiliation continues today. This book explores the circumstances of Dalits in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, and the current efforts attempting to achieve more social equality for the caste here.

Statement of Objects and Reasons of The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 1996 Converts to the Christian religion who are of the Scheduled Caste origin are precluded from the statutory benefits and safeguards accruing to the members of the Scheduled Castes. Demand have been made from time to time for extending these benefits and safeguards to the Christians of the Scheduled Caste Origin by granting them recognition as the Scheduled Castes on the ground that change of religion has not altered their social and economic condition. Upon due consideration of these demands, it is proposed to amend the relevant Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Orders to include the Christian converts from the Scheduled Castes as Scheduled Castes therein. New Delhi Sitaram Kesri The 11th March, 1996 Ministry of Welfare Note: This statement was tabled in the Parliament by then Sitaram Kesri Welfare Minister or what has become today the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to include the Christians of Scheduled Caste Origin (CSCO) as Scheduled Castes and thereby enable them to benefit from the constitutional provisions. This did not happen.

Study, with reference to Tamil Nadu, India.

The monograph From Charity to Justice analyses the radical paradigm shift in the Jesuit mission in Tamil Nadu, India. It examines how the Jesuits acted as catalysts in the process of social awakening by raising critical consciousness among the suffering Dalit masses through various initiatives they launched from 1952 to 2002. The micro-analysis on social history also delves into the methodology they adopted in the grass-root mobilization, movements with which they collaborated, hurdles they faced, challenges they responded, and the support they received from various people's movements and civil society groups to their 'justice' ministry. The study also elicits how the support of the Jesuits to the struggles of Dalit Christians for equality in the Church, particularly through the Dalit Christian Liberation Movement (DCLM) was instrumental in bringing changes in the policies and programmes in the Church in Tamil Nadu. Moreover, this research volume succinctly explains the metamorphosis it underwent from the phase of charitable works to the people-centred social mobilization and organized action for justice.