Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India met the leaders of National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) on 13th March 2018 at the CBCI Centre, New Delhi.
At the outset Rev. Fr. Devasagayaraj, National Secretary, CBCI Office for SC/BC welcomed Most Rev. Theodore Mascarenhas, Secretary General, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. Mr. S.S. Wagmare, General Secretary National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) after the short introduction on of the Officer bearers and participants of NCDC, narrated in brief the deliberations that took place in NCDC meeting held on 12th March and joint consultative meeting of CBCI, NCCI and NCDC that took place in the first half of 13th March 2018.
Among other things Mr. Wagmare conveyed that it was decided to organise rallies in all the states on 27th October 2018. He further told that after the state rallies a token National Rally in Delhi proposed to be held on 28th November 2018. Mr. Danam, Dr. Mary John and Mr. Franklin Caesar Thomas also complemented the deliberations.
Most Rev. Theodore while welcoming all the office bearers and participants of NCDC, told the leaders that he along with CBCI is fully supporting the Dalit Christian movement and also for getting the Dalit Christians included in the Scheduled Caste list. He further emphasised that if the rally has to be conducted it should make a great impact on the media and on the political parties.
He advised that we have to induct young people to take the Dalit Christian movement further especially through social media. He further advised that all of us should participate fully in the social media to reach out to the masses. Bp. Theodore specially said that the leaders being educated and leading the movement should write in print media in all the languages time to time to create awareness in the Intelligentsia of society. He also told the leaders that education is the most important input and we therefore should educate our children to the fullest extent. While concluding he once again told in the meeting that we should work unitedly and without antagonising anybody in the movement or the Church and the society at large.
The NCDC leaders thanked Most Rev. Theodore for his meeting with the leaders and rendering his support and blessings for getting the SC status of the Dalit Christians.
Report by Mr. S.S. Wagmare, General Secretary, NCDC