Congressman Franks Introduces Dalit Resolution
Speaks on the plight of “Untouchablesâ€
in India
May 2, 2007—Congressman Trent
Franks (AZ-02) today introduced a Concurrent
Resolution of which he is the original sponsor,
“expressing the sense of Congress
that the United States should address the problem
of untouchability in India. In accordance with
the Resolution, Congressman Franks offered the
follow speech on the Floor of the House: “Mr.
Speaker,
“This afternoon, I introduced
a resolution calling for the United States to
address the ongoing problem of untouchability
in India. Last December, Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh recognized the similarities between untouchability
in his country and apartheid in South Africa.
It is now time for this Congress to speak out
about this ancient and particularly abhorrent
form of persecution and segregation –
even if it is occurring in a country considered
to be one of America’s closest
allies. This Congress must urge an end to the
social discrimination and injustice faced by
the nearly 250 million people known as Dalits
and Tribals in India.
“Although the Indian Constitution
guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms for
all Indians, the untouchables continue to face
widespread social and caste injustices. Article
17 of the Constitution outlaws untouchability;
however, despite numerous laws enacted for the
protection and betterment of the Dalits and
Tribals, they are still considered outcasts
in Indian society and are treated as such.
“At best, untouchability
involves social segregation, including separate
educational facilities, drinking water, and
restaurants. This is a sad and familiar tune
to many of us in our own country. At worst,
untouchability entails widespread violence against
untouchable women – especially
in the form of rape with impunity, being targeted
for abortions, and comprising the majority of
temple prostitutes and women trafficked from
India.
“The untouchables are poor,
their most basic needs are not fulfilled, and
they face great difficulties in accessing employment,
education, food and healthcare. Most are among
the poorest people in the world, living on less
than $1 per day. Moreover, Dalit women are often
sold into bonded prostitution and there is increasing
religious persecution against untouchables who
change their faith. In 2005, USAID stopped funding
an organization after it was revealed that they
were preventing many of these women from leaving
prostitution. In a recent instance, a whole
Dalit village was forced to leave their tribal
land because they had converted to Christianity
in a state that had laws against conversion.
“This resolution is a direct
statement by Congress that untouchability is
an unacceptable practice in America’s
largest trading partner and close ally. We appreciate
that Prime Minister Singh and many others have
recognized this as a serious social problem
that needs to be confronted and we urge the
rest of Indian society and American diplomats,
aid workers, and businesses working in India
to do the same, and work toward the eradication
of caste discrimination in India.
“This resolution encourages
our government to work with India to find new
approaches to an age old problem.
“Moreover, this resolution
will ensure that we as a government and as a
people in no way encourage or enforce caste
discrimination and untouchability through our
policies with India or through our foreign direct
aid. I urge my colleagues to join with me in
calling on the Indian government and the world
community to look with compassion upon India’s
untouchables and reach out to one of the most
oppressed peoples on earth.
“Thank you, Mr. Speaker.â€
Congressman Franks is serving his third term
in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is
a member of the Committee on Armed Services,
Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Readiness Subcommittee,
Committee on the Judiciary, and is Ranking Member
on the Constitution Subcommittee.
