REPORT
OF
VII CHRISTI DALIT SAHITYA SAMMELAN
HPDP CENTRE, NAGPUR
8-10 MAY 2006
The VII Christi Dalit Sahitya Sammelan (Christian Dalit Writers Meet) was held in HPDP Center, Nagpur from 8-10 May 2006. Nearly 205 Dalit activists, pastors, lay-leaders, renowned literary scholars attended the convention. This Sammelan is held in commemoration of late Dr. A.P. Nirmal's birth anniversary, (9th May 1936), the pioneer of Dalit theology and Christian Dalit literature. This programme was jointly organized by NCCI Dalit Desk, CNI Nagpur Diocese, HPDP Center, Nagpur, CNI SBSS and Pragathi.
The convention was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Rt. Rev. Paul Dupare, Bishop CNI Nagpur Diocese, Dr. J.H Anand, Chairperson WACC Asia Region, Dr. Gilbert Lodhe, President of Christi Dalit Sahitya Sammelan, Rev. Subash Chandorikar, Secretary of the Sammelan, Rev. Raj Bharath Patta, Executive Secretary, NCCI Dalit Desk and Mrs. Elizabeth Nirmal, wife of Late.Dr.A.P.Nirmal.
The
main objective of this Sammelan was to strengthen the Christian Dalit writers
to be bold and prolific in writing about the present situations and oppressions
the Dalits are facing today, and thereby bring out the theological and ethical
relevances for today. This sammelan is also a platform to exchange the different
views of different christian Dalit writers. Since most of the oppressions
of Dalits go un-noticed or either un-heard, the role of media, was emphasised,
and Dalit Chrisitan writers were given certain inputs in this regard. DOCUMENT
THE OPPRESSION, DIAGNOISE THE OPPRESSION AND DRIVE AWAY THE OPPRESSION
was the central theme and goal of this Sammelan. The National Methodological
Workshop for Congregational Empowerment for Dalit Liberation organised by
NCCI/ Cni/CSI/UELCI held in August has brought out the role of media as one
of the methodologies for Dalit liberation, and this sammelan strengthened
the Christian Dalit writers in making use of media for Dalit liberation.
In his inaugural speech Bishop Dupare insisted the need of protecting human rights of Dalit Christians through means of justice and by resisting atrocities, oppressions and exploitation and safeguard the dignity of our Dalit Christians. He highlighted the path of revolutionary Christ as a method for liberation of Dalit Christians. He related the story of Naboth in 1 Kings 21 to that of present oppressions to the Dalits in India.
Dr. J.H. Anand, focused the theology of late Dr. A. P. Nirmal, and brought out the importance of contextual Dalit theology today. The thought of Nirmal was deeply and widely accepted in major theological strands in Korea, Indonesia, Japan, South Africa, Latin America and all over the theological circles in the world. Dr. Anand said that, the Christi Dalit Sahitya parishad should interpret the relevance of this theology to present day Dalit movement, and strive for the liberation, solidarity and empowerment of all Dalits in India. He highlighted that 'Dalit Literature is a literature of PROTEST'.
The president of VII Christi Dalit Sahitya Sammelan, Dr. Gilbert Londhe in his written speech entitled "GULMOHOR GLADIOLUS", highlighted the journey of Dalit Christian liberation as giving pleasure and beauty to the human eyes when the total nature suffers from the heat of scorching sun, such as towering inferno!
The history of Christian literature finds its expressions in the depths of spirituality. The devotional songs, Bhajans, and kirtans used in the Church and in festivals have very little literature concerning Dalits and their oppressions. Time has come that the liturgies and hymns, which, we chant and sing so piously, should address the issues of Dalits and their oppressions. The Dalit Christian literature has a special purpose, objective and utility beyond aesthetical and entertainmental values. It should reveal the truth of present reality of Dalits. It should enable the reader to know the truth of human realities. Producing Dalit literature is a process of truth finding about the status of Dalits today, for which knowledge, wisdom and logical interpretation of thought is necessary. He quoted the Gospel of John "Ye shall know the truth and truth will set you free!" which is the base for liberation theology today. He further said that A.P.Nirmal's Dalit literary contributions were to that direction.
On the second day Rev. Roshan Jamble, the Presybeter from CNI Nagpur diocese led the Bible Study. The first session was held on the theme "The journey of Dalit Christian literature". The director of Christi Sahitya Prasarak (CSP), Mr. Anil Dahiwadkar reviewed the literature produced by various Dalit Christian writers. He stated that the concerns of Dalit Christians are in the same tempo and rhythm as of the other Dalits in India, but however the Christian Dalit writers could not write or speak on behalf of the rights of the Dalits per se. Therefore time has come for the Christian Dalit writers to document oppressions as they are, transcending the barriers of religion and region, and strive for the liberation of all Dalits.
Rev. Raj Bharath Patta spoke on the topic "the relevance of Dr.A.P.Nirmal's theology for today." He has explained the contributions of Dr. A P. Nirmal towards Dalit theology. He said that Nirmal's Dalit theology has had a challenging relevance for our times. He explained various issues and the methodology of Nirmal's theology. The second part of his presentation was the context of Dalits today and in particular the context of Christian literature today. He said that in spite of having several Church magazines in India by several Churches both main line and independent today, we seldom find a page for Dalit concerns in our Church magazines. Church magazines are filled with prosperity gospel and requisitions for donations. He said that we are now living in the era of brahminisation of Christian literature. Because when 80% of the Indian Church are Dalits, there is no mention neither in the sermons today nor in the writings about the issue of Dalit. Therefore in such a context, Nirmal's theology comes afresh and calls on the Indian Church to re-think its theology and speak and write on behalf of the Dalits, analyse critically the situations of Dalits and bring out the hope of liberation that was preached and practiced by Jesus Christ. Re-read the scriptures and re-write the interpretations of the Scripture from the perspective of Dalits. When every local congregation starts documenting Dalit oppressions and use modern media in bringing in the awareness, Dalits will be empowered and will be liberated.
Ms. Snehlata Nimbalkar spoke on the problems, and concerns of Dalit Christian women. She said that, churches today are not an exception in giving women the secondary position to men and thus oppress and suppress women. Therefore Dalit feminism that strives for the mutual partnership between men and women need to be developed and implemented. Dr. Gilbert Londhe responded that curriculums in Sunday Schools need to be designed with Dalit stories, and with gender issues.
Ms.
Philomena Bagul, Ms. Kamil Parkhe emphatically advocated the need, solidarity
integration of various liberation movements today, for this will help in fastening
the movement of liberation today. Mr. Waman Nimbalkar, Head of Dr.Ambedkar
Thought, Nagpur University, Nagpur in his speech said that, Dr. Arvind Nirmal
was schooled in the footsteps of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He got inspiration
from the life and work of Babasaheb. He also said that Dr. Ambedkar also led
for the rights of Christian Dalits. He added that, Christian Dalit movement
alone on its own cannot achieve the goal of liberation in general and the
reservation of Christian community (Minority) and other human rights in particular.
Therefore there is a need for seeking cooperation of other Dalit friends who
have equal agenda striving for the rights of all minorities. This consolidation
of DALIT FRONT will help the empowerment of Dalit Christians in creating Dalit
literature and Dalit solidarity. In the night there was a cultural programme
in which Chota Kirtankar Mr. Vasant Gaikwad presented kirtanas and sang some
Dalit folk songs.
The third day began with the Bible Study by Rev. Raj Bharath Patta. Dr.J.H.Anand presented his paper on "Dalit literature as the literature of protest." He has explained historically how Dalit literature has always been revolutionary. He has reviewed several Dalit writings from different states and analysed that the common denominator of all these writings was that of protest against the system of caste. So he called on the Christian Dalit writers to include protest in their writings and encouraged the writers to be bold in penning the oppressions happening around. When once the oppression is documented, it becomes history. So he urged the writers not to hesitate in documenting, in diagnosing and in driving away the oppression. The next session was on the use of media in present day for the cause of liberation was discussed by the participants. Besides traditional folklore, modern techniques of media are to be used in bringing awareness. Creating e-groups, use of Internet, initiate e-discussions on Dalit issues etc were suggested.
The Sammelan concluded with an evaluation of the programme and specifically the issues the Christian Dalit writers are facing today. These were certain recommendations that were made.
These were certain recommendations the sammelan has given. The three-day Christi Dalit Sahitya Sammelan concluded with the closing devotion led by CNI SBSS, and Bishop. Paul Dupare concluded the meet with closing prayer and benediction. All the participants went with a refreshing tone and felt the sammelan a meaningful exercise. Despite the scorching heat in Nagpur, in the summer, the presentations and the discussions were lively and kept the spirits of the participants cool and renewing. The organizers thanked all the presenters and the participants of this sammelan. The press also has covered the news about the sammelan.
Rev. Raj Bharath Patta,
Executive Secretary, Dalit Concerns,
NCCI, Nagpur.