Minutes

1. Opening Prayer: The Task Force Meeting started with the Opening Prayer by
   Prof. Z.C.Devadanam.
   
   
2. Welcome: The General Secretary, Bp. D. K. Sahu extended a warm welcome to the Chairperson and the members of the Task Force. He has emphasized the need for the task force to act and respond immediately for the cause of Dalits. He has shared the experiences of his visit to the KGF, and explained the pain and the lifestyle of the Dalits over there.
   
   
3. Recording Secretary: Rev. U. Gandhi has been appointed as the Recording Secretary.
   
   
4. Roll Call: Members Present

   i. Dr. K. Rajaratnam, Chairperson NCCI-DTF
   ii. Dr. Bennet Benjamin
   iii. Prof. Z.C. Devadanam
   iv. Dr. Stanley Williams
   v. Dr. John Mohan Razu
   vi. Ms. Esther Kathiroli
   vii. Mr. G.P. Cornelius
   viii. Rev. U. Gandhi
   ix. Rev. Raj Bharath Patta, Executive Secretary, NCCI-COD
   
   Ex-Officio:
   x. Bp. Dr. D. K. Sahu, General Secretary, NCCI
   
   Special Invitees:
   xi. Rev. Dr. Daniel Prem Kumar
   xii. Dr. William Gnanashekaran
   
   Apologies:
   i. Rt. Rev. Pradip. L. Kamble
   ii. Dr. Pauline Sathiamurthy
   iii. Dr. Ruth Manorama
   iv. Rev. Dr. Augustine Jeyakumar

5. Inaugural Address: Dr. K. Rajaratnam, Chairperson of DTF explained the role of Task Force in today's context. He has also shared the concerns and priorities of the DTF. DTF needs to plan and come out with some action plans. Reviving "Drum" and the nccidalittaskforce website need to be done immediately. The immediate task of DTF is to activate and sensitise the pilot local congregations. He has called the DTF to accelerate the activities of DTF and inspire the forthcoming NCCI Assembly in Shillong in 2008. He has also shared the WCC's initiative to support the Dalit concerns of NCCI. He has also shared that a Global World Conference on Dalit concerns will be happening this year in 2007 in Colombo to gain the international attention. He also called the NCCI to liaison the local initiatives done by the local groups for Dalit liberation. Then he has called the members present to share their activities for the cause of Dalit concerns and also to propose some future plans for the DTF.
   
   
6. Sharing:
   
   i. Dr. Stanley Williams shared his activities of the resisting the SEZ's, leadership empowerment, Lawyers collect and Media collect for the cause of Dalit and Adivasi liberation, Adivasi Networking, Dalit-Tribal interface, Campaign on Dignity, capacity building of youth and women, networking of CSO's and churches and supporting the Dalit Christian reservation bill.
   
   ii. Dr. Bennet Benjamin shared his activities of, training youth in handling Dalit issues, series of trainings, promoting Dalit literature, bringing political unity in TN, education-organising and participating, training the clergy. He has said that the NCCI can take up Rights based programmes, work for the removal of poverty among Dalits, Education and skill formation to Dalits. A curriculum based training manual need to be brought out by the NCCI-DTF for the churches regarding Dalit liberation. He has also expressed that the Dalit agenda has not existed in the agendas of CCA and other Asian ecumenical agencies.
   
   iii. Bp. D. K. Sahu explained the programmatic thrusts of WCC and informed that WCC is willing to be in partnership with NCCI-Dalit concerns for next three years as part of their Just and Inclusive programme area. He has then proposed some action plans for the future programmes of DTF. Influencing the media, networking with other secular agencies for liberation, empowering local congregations, advocacy and lobbying for the justice of Dalit Christians, convergences of Dalit and Adivasi concerns and taking the Dalit issue to South Asia and international platforms.
   
   iv. Prof. Z. C. Devadanam shared his experiences of his involvement in getting justice to the Dalits in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. He has also raised the issue of the rift between the different sub-castes within the church and also the rift between the Sc Christians and BC Christians to be addressed by the DTF. He has also called the DTF to network with other like minded organizations for the cause of liberation.
   
   v. Rev. Dr. Daniel Prem Kumar shared his Lenten Campaign during the season of Lent to fast against untouchability, so as to bridge the Church and society. He has called the DTF to bring the local Dalit leaders and their initiatives into national platform for visibility and networking. Inter-faith Dalit building is also required. NCCI to network and work with Buddhist Dalits.
   
   vi. Dr. John Mohan Razu shared that if it is not theologians, who shall speak for the cause. He called on th taks force to recommend to make Dalit Theology as a compulsory course in all theological colleges. Today the church wants to have different church for Dalits but do not want to integrate them into the church. Dr. Ruth Manorama be felicitated by the NCCI for her recent international recognition with the Alternative Nobel Prize award.
   
   vii. Dr. William Gnanasekaran shared that no church from India is represented in the international Dalit Solidarity networks. And called on the NCCI to represent the Dalit cause at the international platforms and agencies like Bread for the World, EED etc.
   
   viii. Rev. U. Gandhi shared the concerns of Dalits in East Kerala Diocese, their housing, sanitation and livelihood. He also explained the proposed training for the youth in the Church to address the Dalit local issues and to train them with skills to enhance their economical independence.
   
   ix. Ms. Esther Kathiroli shared the programmes she has been involved with through the TNCC. Education programmes, computer training both for the Dalits and non-Dalits basically rural youth and empowering the youth with skills training.
   
   
7. Activities of COD: Rev. Raj Bharath Patta explained the programmes of the Commission on Dalit and Adivasis of NCCI with a special focus on the Dalit concerns. He has distributed the copies of a Dossier containing all the reports of the activities of the Commission. The report was accepted with appreciation.
   
   
8. Future Action Programmes: In light of all the sharing from the members of the Task Force, these are some of the future programmes of the Dalit Task Force.
   
   i. Make Inter-faith programmes on Phule and Ambedkar annual programmes of the DTF.
   
   ii. Develop education and skills training programmes to the Dalit youth to eradicate poverty and to become economically independent.
   
   iii. Empowering the pilot congregations for Dalit liberation.
   
   iv. Liaison with the local initiatives like the WIDA, SKM, KGF etc.
   
   v. Providing legal aid for the Dalits during caste atrocities. Training Journalists for the cause of Dalit concerns.
   
   vi. Brining out a curriculum based training programme for the Dalits.
   
   vii. Lobbying for the cause of Dalits and Dalit Christians.
   
   viii. Consultation with Dalit MP's, and other Dalit bureaucrats along with Church leaders.
   
   ix. Network with other likeminded agencies working for the cause of Dalit concerns like the Dalit writers groups, folk arts groups, Parivartan, NCDHR, NACDOR etc. bring them together, learn from them and listen to their experiences.
   
   x. Training of 250 Dalit youth in providing self employment training.
   
   xi. To attend the Indian and World Social Forums annually.
   
   xii. Revival of "Drum", the newsletter of DTF. Renaming it as "Dalit Drum". It was resolved to appoint Dr. William Gnanasekran as the Editor of this newsletter. Disseminate the news of Dalit atrocities to all the local Pastors.
   
   xiii. It was resolved to appoint four Regional Co-ordinators for the four zones to strengthen the local congregations work for Dalit liberation. Rev. Dr. Y. Moses be one of these regional co-ordinators. Terms and conditions for the honorarium be settled in discussion with the General Secretary of NCCI. The Executive Secretary of Dalit Concerns shall facilitate and coordinate the work of these regional coordinators.
   
   xiv. Resolved to have a page for Dalit Concerns in every issue of NCC Review.
   
   xv. Call for a One-day consultation to prepare the curriculum for the training of Dalits.
   
   xvi. General Consultation on Sunday School nurture to incorporate Dalit issues in the curriculum.
   
   xvii. It was resolved to send a proposal to the Senate of Serompore to make Dalit Theology as a compulsory course in all theological colleges.
   
   xviii. Sharing the Dalit programmes with Adivasi Concerns of NCCI. Continuing with Dalit-Tribal Interface programmes.
   
   xix. Transferring the website from Gurukul to NCCI, Nagpur.
   
   xx. Observing Dalit day on the 10th December on the International Human Rights Day.
   
   xxi. Workshops to the out-going theological students on Dalit liberation.
   
   xxii. Forming of Dalit theologians Network.
   
   xxiii. Regional Leaders be identified and strengthen them in their work for Dalit liberation.
   
   
9. Closing Prayer: Rev. U. Gandhi concluded the meeting with a closing prayer and benediction by Bp.Sahu.

 

Rev. U. Gandhi                                                                                                                 top
Recording Secretary