A report on activities of the aicc from Nov. 2005 - March 2006

April 7, 2006

Highlights

Summary: 50,000+ attend a historic rally on Nov. 26 that includes supportive statements by other faith communities.


The All India Christian Council, founded in 1999, exists to protect and serve the interests of the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of over 5,000 Indian denominations, organizations, federations and lay leaders. In-depth info on items below is at www.aiccindia.org.

1. Highlights
* Hyderabad Rally for Dalit Christian Rights
* Gujarat Kumbh Mela Violence Averted
* Attacks in Rajasthan on EMI, orphans, Bishop Thomas
2. aicc Events
* Past
* Upcoming
3. Attacks Reported
* Against Indian Christians
* Against Dalits
4. Resources of Note

Hyderabad Rally for Dalit Christian Rights

A massive public rally brought together an estimated 50,000 Dalit Christians in Hyderabad, India, on Saturday, November 26, 2005. Organized by aicc and Dalit partners, including the powerful Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) Confederation, the rally gave momentum to the public cry for Dalit Christians to have the rights that Hindu Dalits, Buddhist Dalits and Sikh Dalits enjoy today.

The rally anticipated a Nov. 28th hearing by India's Supreme Court on a case brought through the Public Interest Litigation writ filed by former Indian Law Minister Shanti Bhushan. The Central Government had asked the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities headed by former Chief Justice of India Rangnath Mishra to also investigate the issue

At the rally, held at Nizam College Grounds, aicc president Dr. Joseph D'souza said grassroots Dalit Christians have now mobilized themselves. "It was historic because we came out openly in the public square and bluntly laid down our position for the government and the Congress Party that they should not count on the political support of the Dalit Christians if they are not willing to give support on this matter." The aicc president said, "The time for waiting is over - 50 years is long enough. We as Christians need to stand and up act. And this rally is the beginning of our public agitation and movement."

Summary: aicc takes preventative actions with legislators, legal system, and police. Result is successful protection of tribal Christians.

Udit Raj, head of the co-sponsoring SC/ST Confederation, aptly pointed out that in India, rights are not automatic. They have to be taken by action and the kind of action the vested and exploitative upper castes understand is "people power". He said, "Today, you coming together in great numbers will send out a powerful message to the political powers in New Delhi."

Several prominent political and religious leaders assured the Dalit Christians of their support in the movement. For example, Islamic leader Asaduddin Owaisi said Muslims and Dalit Christians should work closely together to achieve reservation (affirmative action programs) and expressed his party's total support for the cause. A leading Buddhist influential called upon Dalit Christians to grow into a powerful political force to achieve the same rights as Dalit Buddhists enjoy.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/dalit_christians_throng_meet_in_Hyderabad_demand_sc_status.htm

Gujarat Kumbh Mela Violence Averted

In a historic display of unity, the Christian community successfully faced the mighty onslaught of Hindutva forces in Dangs district of Gujarat. The result of aicc pressure on government and police forces resulted in an absence of violence during a Kumbh Mela on February 11-13, 2006

Each year throughout India, there are several Kumbh Melas (religious celebrations) for Hindus to rededicate their lives and deepen their faith. Hindutva forces created a new mela - called the Shabri Kumbh Mela - and built facilities including an artificial lake for the traditional baths. Over 500,000 attendees were expected but media reports indicated only 60,000 came.

The Hindutva forces clearly wanted to re-convert and intimidate the tribal community since a majority became Christian in recent years. Frenzied Hindutva activists posted saffron flags on places belonging to their supporters. It appeared to be a way to target non-Hindus. The result was deep fear among the Christian community. There were reports of men fleeing the villages before the Mela. The church burnings and communal violence of 1998 was still fresh in their minds.

However, there was a historic unity with which the Indian Christian community rose to the occasion and outmaneuvered the opposition. aicc representatives met top leaders of the nation and put them on the alert. The Union Home Minister responded by sending Central forces to the Dangs and also issuing instructions to the Gujarat government to safeguard the interests of tribal Christians and their properties. aicc reps called upon the ministers in Gujarat and put pressure on them. They briefed the state police about what was happening and successfully urged them to take care of all security needs and get active support from the central forces.

The aicc units from different states also contacted the Union Home Minister through their state Chief Ministers. For example, in Maharashtra, a delegation of aicc leaders called on the Chief Minister and asked him to take action. He immediately issued instructions to have the border with Gujarat sealed to halt infiltrations by troublemakers.

Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh received an aicc delegation and, true to his secular credentials, he moved quickly and publicly put pressure on the Gujarat government. Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi was so offended by the gesture that he openly attacked the Mr. Singh in a speech for intervening in the matter.

Besides legislative actions, the aicc pursued legal recourse. First, partner ANHAD successfully filed a case in India's Supreme Court to halt the distribution of CDs containing inflammatory, anti-Christian material. Then the aicc filed an appeal before the High Court in Gujarat to issue guidelines to the State Government on protecting and safeguarding the tribal Christians in Dangs. Although the High Court did not stop the event, it instructed the Gujarat police to watch inflammatory leaders like Viswa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader KS Sudarshan.

Finally, the aicc sent special representatives to different parts of the Dangs, expressing solidarity with the fear-stricken tribals and observing the celebration with cell phones and video cameras in hand in case violence broke out.

As a result of these efforts, the opposition used harsh rhetoric but no violence occurred. In his opening address, Gujarat Chief Minister Modi said the time had come for converted tribals to go back to Hinduism. Stating that he would not tolerate Christian conversions, the Chief Minister said Christian medical services were an allurement to convert poor and illiterate tribals.


Summary: aicc intervenes with Prime Minister over violence against orphanage founder and asks for state officials to follow rule of law.


Past Events

Some people might wonder if the situation was exaggerated by human rights groups. However, from the perspective of the Dangs villagers, the threat wasn't exaggerated and it was only through hard work that their fears were averted. The win therefore is a matter of great pride. But it should not lead us to a sense of complacency. We need to be extra vigilant in coming days.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/its_a_battle_won_against_endless_odds.htm

Attacks in Rajasthan on EMI, orphans, Bishop Thomas On February 20, 2006, two workers at an orphanage run by Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) in Kota were arrested without reason and beaten with police looking on. Earlier, Hindu radicals vandalized other facilities, killing a child in the rampage. Attackers said that Bishop MA Thomas and his son sold a book that contained derogatory Hindu references. They publicly offered thousands of US dollars for the killing of the bishop and his son.

Then, the government issued arrest warrants for the Bishop and his son. They also froze bank accounts which led to a shortage of fuel and food for hundreds of orphans. On March 16th, the son, Samuel Thomas was arrested and held without bail. An aicc fact-finding team visited Rajasthan on March 18-20 and filed a report with the Prime Minister of India. Subsequently, government officials were instructed to follow the rule of law. The Bishop is still in hiding and court proceedings are moving ahead. He is also the founder of USA-based Hopegivers International.
For more, see multiple stories posted at http://www.aiccindia.org


aicc Past & Upcoming Events

November 2005
* Dharna (roadshows) by aicc district units to raise awareness and support of India Supreme Court case to grant Dalit Christians reservations (affirmative action opportunities) During each event, memos were submitted to district collectors and magistrates to urge them to pursue equal rights for Dalit who follow Christianity.
* 26th Hyderabad Rally (see above)

Upcoming Events

December 2005
* 22nd Christmas program at Osmania Univ., Hyderabad, for Dalits and Christian students. Also, round table on Globalization of Dalit Issues held for public.
* 22nd Release of booklet "What is the Dalit-Bahujan Emancipation Movement all About?" by Dr. Joseph D'souza; available for download at www.aiccindia.org.
* 28th aicc-hosted meeting of Dalit Christian government officials to discuss strategy for supporting Dalit Christian reservation initiative.

January 2006
* Media, legislative, and legal action on Gujarat Kumbh Mela
* aicc delegation conducts significant meeting with Arjun Singh, Union Human Resources Minister and Shivraj Patel, Union Home Minister, on Gujarat Kumbh Mela preparation

February 2006
* Monitoring of Gujarat Kumbh Mela on 11th-13th (see above)

March 2006
* 6th aicc President Joseph D'souza and activist Kancha Ilaiah conduct forum at the University of Hyderabad
* 8th aicc and Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) representatives visit foreign embassies in Delhi
* 15th Rally in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, for 500 Dalit Christian leaders to declare their opposition to political parties who don't support Dalit Christian reservations
* April 14, 2006: National Dalit Leaders meeting in Chennai and hosted on Educational ship, the M.V.Doulos
* Summer 2006: In partnership with CSW, campaign to oppose current anti-conversion legislation in India
* October 14, 2006: International Day of Religious Freedom (tentative title), a massive aicc-sponsored rally in Nagpur, Maharashtra, celebrating Dr. Ambedkar's birthday and the freedom of religious choice for all Indians
* March 18-31, 2007: Anniversary of William Wilberforce's anti-slavery legislation in UK. In partnership with CSW, tentative political hearings before British and European Union officials on "modern slavery" of Dalits. Also, media and print initiatives to raise awareness.

Attacks against Christians


Attacks reported

List of Violence Against Christians in India
Note: All care has been taken to crosscheck the reported cases with credible newspaper reports and police files. We are unable to persuade state governments to collect information about cases of violence against the Christian community.

November 2005
* 2nd - Gujarat: Christian and Vankar communities of a village were attacked, leaving many of them seriously injured. To celebrate New Years, some Takurs were playing Bhavai (a cultural program) and the members of the minority Christian and Vankar communities went to watch the program. Without provocation, the Takurs, numbering around 150, attacked Christians and Vankars with swords, sticks, sickles and pipes. Police filed a complaint but didn't make arrests.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/christian_and_dalit_communities_attacked_in_gujarat.htm

* 4th - Himachal Pradesh: Hindu extremists attacked 62-year-old Pastor Feroz Masih accusing him of "forcibly converting" Hindus. The attackers then forced Masih to sign a document saying he would participate in a ceremony to reconvert all 60 members of his church to Hinduism. The extremists threatened to burn alive the pastor and members of the Believer's Church in India if they didn't attend. The attack took place as Masih, a former Hindu, was traveling to comfort a believer who was mourning a family member's death. VHP extremists had earlier threatened Masih and thrown stones at his house in April 2005. Police hadn't responded to these earlier death threats issued by VHP members.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/hindu_extremists_attack_pastor_in_himachal_pradesh.htm

* 10th - Maharashtra: An OM Media team showed an Indian version of the Jesus film ("Dayasagar") near Pune. A mob of over 25 people belonging to the Siva Sena later surrounded them and beat them. At the police station, police confiscated their ID cards and film equipment and beat them further. After intervention by aicc, police released the team early the next morning after filing a false case of using the loudspeaker in the public place without prior approval.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/om_team_attacked_in_maharashtra.htm

* 21st - Andhra Pradesh: Seven families belonging to the fishing community at Kottasathram Village were ostracized by the village elders for embracing the Christian faith. The families left the village and constructed huts in a forest 1.5 km away. However the villagers destroyed a tube-well dug by the families. They also tried to persuade forest officials to destroy the huts.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/christian_converts_ostracised_in_andhra_pradesh_village.htm

December 2005
* 3rd - Andhra Pradesh: Pastor Yesupadam of Believer's Church in Hyderabad was lured out of a prayer meeting and beaten. Members of the Hindu fundamentalist group, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), then took him on a scooter to the local police station where he was further beaten. In the presence of the police, the RSS men tried to paint a tilak on his forehead.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/pastor_attacked_in_hyderabad_police_refuse_to_help.htm

* 4th - Himachal Pradesh: At least 25 members of Dharma Sena, a Hindu extremist group, attacked a church in Chattisgarh, beating up several Christians and then forcing them and another pastor into a Hindu temple. The authorities did not file charges against the Sena despite requests by Christian leaders.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/hindu_extremists_attack_church_force_christians_into_temple.htm

* 4th - Madhya Pradesh: A group of Hindu extremists belonging to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) attacked Pastor Anil Mehra of the Indian Evangelical Team in Jhabua District. The police declined to detain any of the militant Hindus. Instead they detained the pastor for more than 10 hours for "disrupting public peace".
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/hindu_extremists_attack_pastor_in_madya_pradesh.htm

* 18th - Goa: About 20 radical Hindus carrying chains, iron rods, and sticks barged in and started to smash the audio system and other equipment during a worship service at New Life Fellowship in Ponda. When some believers tried to protest, they manhandled them and chased all of them out of the church. They dragged Pastor Cajetan Tellis to the local police station. The police refused to act to protect the Christians and had previously ignored to complaints about threats.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/church_attacked_pastor_intimidated_in_goa.htm

* 21st - Orissa: Hindu extremists attacked a Christian community at Gandahati village seriously injuring six people. They also set fire to 15 houses and the village post office, destroying properties worth 1 million rupees. An attack in the same district in 1998 was investigated by a government commission, Jagdev Roy Commission of Enquiry, but no compensation or justice has been awarded yet.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/christians_attacked_in_orissa_village.htm

January 2006
* 12th - Andhra Pradesh: Two radical Hindu activists were arrested in connection with an attack on Pastor Aaron in Nizamabad. The pastor was distributing pamphlets to publicize a Christian congregation at Polytechnic Grounds. He was severely beaten before police arrived on the scene and saved him. Later authorities learned the attackers had been carrying petrol and planned to take him to an isolated place with an intention to set him on fire.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/two_held_for_attacking_pastor_in_andhra_pradesh.htm

* 16th - Orissa: Local police allowed a makeshift Hindu temple at Umarkote village but banned Christians from worshipping at a house church nearby. In late December, the two faith communities argued about their right to worship in the small village. Hindu extremists later attacked four Christians. When police investigated, they refused to file an official complaint from the Christians because they had not registered their conversions. Rev. DB Hrudaya, a local aicc leader, said some believers avoid public declarations of conversion because of complicated procedures required by the state which result in harassment of new believers.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/police_in_orissa_village_ban_church_allow_hindu_temple.htm

* 16th - Orissa: A Christian was beaten up and humiliated at Matiapara market on 15 January 2006. Fearing further attack, the community did not report the matter to the local police. But the next morning, a mob armed with lathis and other weapons attacked the houses of the Christian community. They ransacked their houses and then set them on fire. The victims ran for their lives and took shelter at the Bari Police Station. Although police promised compensation and appropriate justice, little has happened since the attacks.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/christians_attacked_in_orissa_market.htm

* 25-28th - Madhya Pradesh: In four days, three major attacks were made against the minority Christian community. One attack was carried out by police against two pastors. Two other attacks against small groups of Christians were conducted by RSS members.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/another_hindutva_laboratory_in_the_making_in_madhya_pradesh.htm

* 29th - Maharashtra: Thomas Dabre, the Catholic Bishop of Vasai, and four priests were attacked and a new hostel was damaged at Mokhada in Mumbai. The Bajrang Dal and Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) warned the Mokhada police station three days prior to the inauguration of the hostel against allowing such a project in the vicinity. The police did nothing about the threats and took two hours to respond to calls during the attacks. Damage is estimated to be 200,000 rupees.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/christian_council_condemns_police_lapse_in_attack_on_bishop.htm

February 2006

* 5th - Madhya Pradesh: Activists of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) severely beat two Christian youth for distributing literature in Indore. They also ransacked a portion of a church in Kabeetkhedi area of the city where the youth fled for protection. The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/rss_workers_attack_christian_youths_in_madhya_pradesh.htm

* 26th - Maharashtra: The three priests attached to Social and Evangelical Association for Love (SEAL) were beaten and hospitalized by Bajrang Dal activists in Nere village near Panvel. Over the past two years, since they set up a charity organisation for the destitute and the downtrodden, KM Philip, Biju Samuel and Reggie Thomas have been harassed multiple times. The police haven't registered a formal complaint against the attackers.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/three_christian_priests_injured_in_attack.htm

*28th - Andhra Pradesh: Unidentified attackers beat Pastor Jacob, 43, with iron rods near his house at Badangpet village. The pastor was conducting a birthday celebration for a member of his church. He was hospitalized with head injuries. His family was also beaten. The police arrested five people.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/pastor_attacked_in_hyderabad.htm and
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/attack_in_hyderabad_pastors_condition_serious.htm

March 2006
* 17th - Madhya Pradesh: A Youth With a Mission (YWAM) centre in Jabalpur was attacked by Bajrang Dal activists. The attackers beat male students of the centre and sexually harassed female students. The attackers broke furniture, damaged computer and TVs, shattered windows and burned Bibles. The police arrested five attackers but also filed a case against YWAMers, accusing them of unlawful conversions.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/ywam_centre_attacked_in_jabalpur.htm

* 19th - Andhra Pradesh: A mob of Hindu militants attacked and severely beat three pastors in Nellore. Christians were holding a Gospel rally in Pappula Bazaar when the mob of about 30 Hindu fanatics attacked. The pastors have filed a case with police.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/three_pastors_attacked_in_nellore_andhra_pradesh.htm

* 20th - Orissa: Hindu militants burned a church at Nandapur in Koraput district. The pastor was gone at the time and has filed a police complaint with the help of the aicc.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/church_set_on_fire_in_orissa.htm

* 20th - Jharkhand: Sangh Parivar activists attacked 15 believers and missionaries belonging to Friends Missionary Prayer Band in Singhbhuim district near Jamshedpur. They beat them and promised any new believers that they wouldn't have access to water.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/christians_attacked_in_jharkhand.htm


Analysis & Summary

Executive Summary: The aicc documented over 24 attacks against
Christians from Nov. 2005 to March 2006. Of the confirmed attacks
listed above, there were:
6 in Madhya Pradesh
5 in Andhra Pradesh
4 in Orissa
3 in Maharashtra
2 in Himachal Pradesh
1 in Gujarat
1 in Rajasthan*
1 in Goa
1 in Jharkhand

* includes several attacks against one organization, EMI

List of Violence Against Dalits in India
Note: We are just beginning to independently track and verify attacks against Dalits. All care has been taken to crosscheck the reported cases with credible newspaper reports and police files.

December 2005
* 12th - Madhya Pradesh: After accusing some men of rape, a tribal woman was attacked and had her hand cut-off at Nimri village in Raisen District. The injured woman, Kamlabai (35), underwent treatment at Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal and was compensated under appropriate laws. Five men were arrested and a case under Sections 147, 148, 336 and 436 of the IPC and Section 323 of the SC/ST Atrocities Act was filed.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/tribal_womans_hand_cut_off_in_madhya_pradesh.htm

* 15th - Orissa: In Keraragard village in the Kendrapara District, four Hindu Dalit women who entered a temple were beaten and later fined 1,001 rupees by the village panchayat (council). The Hindustan Times reported that the fine was collected to "spend on temple-purification rituals". Police were investigating.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/dalit_women_pay_for_temple_entry.htm

January 2006
* 2nd - Bihar: Shocked over the reports of the existence of caste-based cafeterias in several police stations across Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed the Home Department to end the practice. Bihar policemen have been eating in separate locations based on their caste. "The system is deplorable and it is a source of caste and communal hatred among cops," the Chief Minister said.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/
bihar_cm_orders_to_end_caste-based_kitchens_practised_by_state_police.htm

* 5th - Punjab: A savage assault by powerful Congress-backed Jat landlords has left Bant Singh with both hands and one leg amputated. Mr. Singh is a Dalit leader of the Mazdoor Mukti Morcha in Mansa, Punjab. He was attacked after trying to bring his daughter's rapists to justice. This case has generated massive protests in Punjab and was reported by South Asia Solidarity Group.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/
dalit_activist_brutally_attacked_for_protesting_against_rape_of_his_daughter.htm

* 14th - Uttar Pradesh: A young tribal woman was gang-raped by four men from the upper caste community. The woman belonged to the Nut community (a Scheduled Tribe) at Sirsi village in Chandauli district. According to the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), they were told about the heinous crime by the People's Vigilance Committee for Human Rights (PVCHR), a local human rights group working in Uttar Pradesh. Chandauli police deliberately delayed action against the culprits.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/tribal_woman_gang-raped_by_upper_caste_men_in_uttar_pradesh.htm

February 2006
* 14th - Haryana: An armed mob of Upper Castes allegedly attacked Ravidas Colony at Mehmadpur village of Karnal District. According to The Tribune, the attackers used sharp-edged weapons, including axes and swords and injured 10 people.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/10_injured_in_attack_on_dalit_colony.htm

* 14th - Haryana: More than 200 Dalits in Farmana village in Sonepat district fled after threats by upper caste members of the area. The upper caste villagers said the Dalits were living on land that belonged to a temple. Reportedly, the upper caste villagers were armed.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/scared_dalits_flee_village_in_haryana.htm

* 19th - Tamil Nadu: A Panchayat summoned Raja for an enquiry regarding the felling of a neem tree in a farm where he worked. According to Raja's wife, her husband refused to attend the enquiry held on 18 February 2006 but agreed to pay the money for the tree. Her husband left the house on 19 February and was found dead the following day. Police registered it as a suicide. Despite the fact that Raja died under suspicious circumstances, the police allowed the body to be cremated. People's Watch has asked the Government of Tamil Nadu to set up a special team to investigate the death.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/dalits_death_tamil_nadu_govt_asked_to_probe.htm

March 2006
* 20th - Karnataka: Dalit IAS officer has been denied permission by the forward castes to conduct the marriage of his kin at the temple in Devar Gonal village of Surpur taluk, Gulbarga district. The managing committee of the temple denied permission to Mr. Gonal Bheemappa to hold the marriage of his younger brother's son in the community hall attached to the temple because he is a Dalit. Bheemappa is even denied entry into the temple and has to be content praying from outside. Separate cups and utensils are kept for Dalits at hotels in the village.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/untouchability_does_not_spare_ias_officer.htm

* 15th - Maharashtra A Dalit woman was stripped and paraded naked in Talegaon village in Sholapur district by members of the liquor lobby who suspected that she had complained about their activities to the police. They also beat up her son. The next day, the Taluka police arrested nine people, including two women, for involvement in the
attack.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/dalit_woman_stripped_in_front_of_her_son_paraded_naked.htm

* 28th - Orissa: Manju Devi, a Dalit woman, has charged Bahadurganj Congress MLA Mohd Tousheef, his brother Faiyaz and 63 others, with stripping, abusing and even threatening to kill her. She had approached them to seek justice for her incarcerated husband who was falsely charged with rape after defending another village woman.
For more, see
http://www.aiccindia.org/news/dalit_woman_stripped_naked_and_threatened_by_mla_in_orissa.htm


Resources of Note


Resources of Note
1. Chicago Tribune article, "India's lowest slowly rising" by Kim Barker, March 1, 2006 Excellent feature on a former toilet cleaner who has achieved her dream of opening a small bakery. Highlights the "two Indias" that exist today.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0603010182mar01,1,675992.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

2. BBC series, "Being Indian", broadcast on Saturdays/Sunday, March 4/5 and 11/12, 2006 Featured four children from widely differing backgrounds in India. The first broadcast featured Biru Mallik, a nine-year-old untouchable boy living in a remote village in Bihar. His family are dhoms and one of their main jobs is to prepare funeral pyres and cremate bodies on the banks of the famous Ganges River, an invaluable service for Indian society.

3. CNN / CBS Commentary on Dalits in India, broadcast on January 18, 2006 A short video portraying the plight of the untouchables today in India.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3966452794541360953

4. WORLD Magazine article, "Left Behind", December 3, 2005, Vol. 20, No. 47 Summary of challenges faced by Dalit and, specifically, Dalit Christians. Includes quotes by aicc representatives.
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11318

aicc Update, Nov. 2005 - March 2006