About Us

Christianity exists in India from the 1st century AD. Dalit Christians are one of the social categories of people who moved from their previous religions to Christianity. Today, they form around 70% among Christians irrespective of their denominations. From its genesis, the church with its Christian insights and ethical mandate has been playing a commendable role in empowering the poor and the marginalized through various institutions and programs that helped a sizable number of Dalit and Adivasi Communities. Conversion of Dalits to Christianity is an expression of both spiritual and social empowerment and exercises their right to faith, worship and equality. It is at the same time a protest against the inhuman and discriminatory practices they were subjected to in their previous religions. While the churches were fully aware of their plight and took various measures on socio, economic and human development grounds, their life did not change much since the age-old draconian caste system followed them in their new religion as people from other social and caste background joined the Christianity. They carried their caste tag and all its exclusionary manifestation to Christianity.  This led to the perpetuation of caste system, a stigma in the church, much against Christian philosophy. There are ample evidences today to say that Dalit Christians have been undergoing sufferings and discrimination within the Church and Church based institutions. They go through multiple forms of oppression, exclusion, restrictions and dehumanization at various levels, at the levels of sharing of power in the church, equal treatment on par with other caste Christians, and dignity and respect as the children of God, who created them in His image and so on.

It is against this context and as a consequence of the inhuman practices in the churches, National Dalit Christian Watch (hereafter NDCW) emerged to address issues related to the dignity and equality of Dalit Christians. It was initiated by some enlightened Dalit leaders: theologians, philosophers, and academicians, activists of women and men who have served the community at various capacities and for a long time. These stalwarts from various denominations came together and decided to address the issues of caste discrimination within Christianity at different churches the society at large so that Christian community in India becomes truly a community of sisters and brothers of ONE GOD and form one human family.

Vision

NDCW envisions an inclusive Church and society without any discrimination, exclusion and other forms of untouchability practices on the basis of caste, gender, ethnicity and any other identities and differences.

Mission

NDCW addresses the issue of caste and all its discriminatory practices against Dalit Christians both within the church and in the wider society. It advocates and campaigns with / through the Church machinery for Dalit empowerment in education, economic progress, social amity, recapture of Dalit cultural and religious roots so that Dalit Christians move towards integral progress and development in order to make the Gospel values of love, truth, justice, fraternity and equality as integral part of their life and mission.

Objectives

To enhance awareness among Christians of Dalit origin, through studies, fact-finding and other forms of documentation on the prevalence of caste discrimination among the Christians and Church based institutions (is anti-Christian and anti-human) and empowering them to emerge as a force for their rights and space in the Church and its domains mainly and also in the larger society.
To undertake Campaign activities- (Viz Capacity building, Documenting the status of DCs, Fact finding, Public Hearing, National/International Advocacy, lobbying, judicial intervention, organizing conferences etc.,) to challenge the practices of discrimination based on identities within the Church and Church based institutions mainly.
To demand for equal rights and equitable justice to Dalit Christians on par with other Christians at the level of leadership like bishops, major superiors and other prominent positions, admission and appointment in the church-based institutions, etc. and to promote justice and harmony.
To demand for the due share of resources, positions, opportunities and programs for the development of Dalit Christians.
To promote and take part in Ecumenical alliances, partnerships and programs at different levels to address caste-based discrimination among the Churches and Church based institutions.
To promote and participate in Coalitions and Federations that strive for the empowerment and rights of Dalit Christians

Identity

NDCW is a national campaign platform of concerned Dalit Christian leaders and committed Christian leaders, from a diverse backgrounds and denominations, regions from all over the country, involved in counteracting discrimination against Dalit Christians within Churches, Church based institutions and the society at large.

It promotes equality and rights of Dalit Christians within Churches and in the Society through Capacity Building, Fact Finding, Public Hearing, Advocacy and Lobbying, and sharing of information and other activities and programs.

NDCW has a three-tier organic linkage: General Body, Executive Committee and a Secretariat headed by General Secretary. Each body has specific roles and functions for the smooth and purposive running of the campaign to achieve its end/goal. This organic linkage fosters relations and action at every level.

Broader Strategy

Identifying and Capacitating the Perspectives and Skills of DC youth and DC Rights Defenders (Activists) – both men and women.
Monitoring caste-based discriminations, victimization and violence; and to initiate and follow up legal Intervention
Advocacy and Lobbying with Church, its Leaders and Institutions at the State and National levels and also with the Indian Government.
Internationalizing the DC Issues with the support of UN, EU and International Bodies and Faith – based Institutions.
Involving in Social Equity Audit to enumerate and analyze the status of Dalit Christians within Church and its Institutions.
Building wider Alliances and Networking with various Dalit Christian Movements, HR organizations, CSOs
Action based Research, Documentation and Publications
Motivating and Facilitating Dalit Christians to Promote state level Movements in the states where the Dalit Christians movement is absent.

Core Interventions

Conducting Fact Findings and providing guidance for legal Interventions for the Dalit Christian Victims and Survivors of caste atrocities.
Conducting Public Hearing to accessing Justice
Conducting Seminars, Conferences, Conventions on the Rights of Dalit Christians.
Research, Documenting – Through Survey- Collecting Base line Issue based Data- Studies
Advocacy – Lobbying: Local – Diocesan, State, National, and International level and also with State- To involve in Media Advocacy at all levels.
Lobbying at the National and International level and with State
Judicial intervention – To pursue the pending case in SC and filing new cases in Indian courts and also at Canon Law Tribunal
Identifying Dalit Christian youth in both gender and orient, motivate and capacitate them to emerge as next level leaders to sustain the struggle.
Mobilizing Dalit Christians for local, state and National level
To associate with other Dalit Christians and Dalit Movements and organizations for the equality, justice and dignity of all, especially the caste affected people to lead a harmonious life with Peace!