Dalit school children served by Christians in India. (OM photo)
Operation Mobilization works in India with national believers. OM's Peter Dance is concerned about this outbreak of violence. "Basically the government's trying to keep a lid on it. However, it is very, very serious, and it's actually starting to spill over into other states. This is a very, very serious situation. It could really blow up."
The elected Hindu government in Rajasthan promised these rights in their bid to win the election, only to renege on that promise.
Tens of thousands of people have been stranded on highways or at railway stations in Rajasthan due to the protests.
Their demands are being met with opposition from other tribes. The Meenas oppose the granting of tribal status to the Gujjars fearing they will lose their own quotas for education and jobs. The two sides clashed in eastern Rajasthan as the Meenas tried to break the blockade.
Dalit Hindus also have these affirmative action rights, but they lose those rights if they convert to Christianity.
Many believe this could further anger the upper castes of India's society. Dance says, "They have already been doing that. That's the whole part of why the church is being persecuted because of their standing with the Dalits, and they're turning to Christ by the tens of thousands. The upper castes are bringing all sorts of anti-conversion laws to stop Dalits from becoming Christians."
According to Dance, conversion to Christianity angers nationalistic Hindus. "It basically takes [Dalits] out of the Hindu faith, and therefore the caste system starts to deteriorate, which actually is a fundamental part of the Hindu belief system."
OM is working with Christians in India, says Dance. "Part of our mandate is to support and encourage these new believers. Discipleship training is part of that. And in a lot of cases, we're standing beside them financially because they've left their job, and some of these pastors have several of these church communities scattered around their local area."
Few Gujjars are Christians. Pray that Christians in Rajasthan would reach out with compassion to the Gujjar people so they can understand Christ's love.
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