A group of Dalit Christians from Kottapalayam village near Thuraiyur staged a hunger strike near the district collector’s office on Monday, alleging that they have been facing caste-based discrimination and were excluded from the ongoing festival at the century-old St. Mary Magdalene Church.
The festival, which started on July 14, is held under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kumbakonam. In a strong show of protest, Bishop Jeevanandam Amalanathan announced that he would not participate in the chariot procession scheduled for Tuesday, citing “persisting caste discrimination in the parish.”
Dalit Christians said they have been denied the right to pay church subscriptions for decades and excluded from festival planning committees. They also claimed that the festival chariot has never been taken through their streets. “We were told by the priest and by several dominant caste Christians that this is not our festival. The church refuses to take our subscription like it does from others. Instead, we’re asked to make donations,” said J Doss Prakash, a long-time member of the parish.
The protestors submitted a petition to the District Revenue Officer (DRO) during the weekly grievance meeting, demanding action against the parish priest and others who allegedly threatened them during a planning meeting on July 6. “We were abused with casteist slurs and warned not to interfere,” said another parishioner.
R Raj Nobili, a protester, added, “Once we pay subscription, we gain the right to question decisions. That’s why they don’t allow us to pay it. Even though there are seven chariots in the festival, not even the smallest one comes to our locality. The district administration should at least ensure that happens.”
Jo Kennedy, a human rights lawyer supporting the protest, said, “This is a violation of the equality guaranteed by the Constitution. We’ve written letters to authorities, but no one has stepped in. The church must dismantle the caste wall from within.”
Their demands include forming an inclusive parish council, equal participation in religious and festival events, and legal action against those responsible for caste discrimination.
Bishop Amalanathan reiterated his decision to boycott the chariot procession, saying dominant caste Christians refuse to give Dalit Christians equal rights. However, he maintained that the church institutionally does not support any discrimination.
Revenue department officials said they have received the complaints and have directed local authorities to investigate the matter.
