The Supreme Court of India has taken up a significant case involving allegations of caste-based discrimination against Dalit Christians in Tiruchirapalli district, Tamil Nadu. On Friday, a bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Manoj Misra agreed to hear the plea which claims ongoing atrocities and untouchability practices within the Kottapalayam Parish area.
The petitioners, represented by Advocate Franklin Caesar Thomas, include J Doss Prakash among others from the local Dalit Christian community. They have brought to light their daily struggles against caste-based discrimination perpetuated by the dominant caste groups in the region. The plea detailed the discriminatory practices that are still prevalent, despite the community’s conversion to Christianity, which traditionally does not follow caste divisions.
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes after the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court dismissed the initial petition last year on April 30. The High Court suggested that such issues could be more appropriately handled by a civil court and that the ultimate resolution should come from the National Commission for Minorities. However, dissatisfied with this stance and the lack of effective action from local and state authorities despite multiple representations, the petitioners escalated the matter to the apex court.
Justice Narasimha and Justice Misra have issued notices to the Tamil Nadu government and church authorities, demanding a response by April 15. The case highlights the complex layers of discrimination that continue to affect Dalit Christians, who face marginalization both as Dalits and as part of a religious minority in predominantly Hindu areas.
