Telangana: Church leaders launch campaign for SC status for dalit christians

Church leaders across Telangana are launching a state-wide campaign to secure SC status for Dalit Christians. The movement includes petitions to national leaders, grassroots representations, legal consultations, and a public rally titled ‘Garjana’ to raise awareness and mobilise support.

Hyderabad: Church leaders and representatives from multiple Christian denominations across Telangana have come together to press for Scheduled Caste (SC) status for Dalit Christians, announcing a coordinated state-wide movement.

At a meeting held in the city on Wednesday, participants from Baptist, CSI, Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Orthodox, and other church groups unanimously resolved to intensify their demand for Constitutional recognition. Leaders from several prominent ministries and pastors’ fellowships also backed the initiative.

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The movement plans to submit petitions to key national leaders, including the President, Prime Minister, and Union Home Minister, urging the introduction of legislation in Parliament to grant SC status to Dalit Christians.

At the state level, organisers will seek a resolution in the Telangana Assembly supporting the demand. They have also outlined a grassroots campaign, directing pastors’ groups to submit representations to local revenue offices and Members of Parliament later this month.

As part of the strategy, an all-party and Christian organisations’ meeting is scheduled in Hyderabad on April 14, followed by a legal consultation on April 18 to explore judicial options. The campaign will culminate in a large public rally titled ‘Garjana’ in the city in May, aimed at mobilising support and drawing wider attention to the issue.