- 11 August, 2025
Tamil Nadu, August 11, 2025: Christians of various denominations in Tamil Nadu marked Black Day on 10 August with public demonstrations, gatherings, and awareness campaigns across all 18 dioceses of the state. In addition to parish-level meetings, the programme was conducted in 51 prominent locations in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Catholic Bishops, Protestant Bishops, priests, religious congregations, and lay faithful gathered — many in the streets — to hold public meetings and present memoranda to the government.
The state-wide network was coordinated by the Chairman, Bishop Jeevanandam, and the Secretary, Fr. Nithiya OFM Cap, of the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC) Commission for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, working through all Diocesan SC/ST Commission Secretaries and staff.
Significance of Black Day
Black Day is observed by Christians in India, particularly Dalit Christians, to highlight the injustice stemming from the Presidential Order of 1950. This order decreed that the entitlements granted to Hindus from the Scheduled Caste category would not be extended to Dalits of other religions. Despite facing similar socio-economic challenges, such as discrimination, lack of education, and limited employment opportunities, Dalit Christians and Muslims remain excluded from these benefits.
Clause 3 of the order unjustly removed Dalit Christians from the Scheduled Caste list, denying them constitutional rights, including reservation, legal protection, and social justice. For the past 75 years, Dalit Christians have campaigned for the restoration of their rightful status. 10 August marks the day this exclusion began, symbolising loss, resistance, remembrance, and the ongoing struggle for equality, dignity, and justice.
Widespread Participation
In addition to diocesan headquarters events led by bishops, priests, and religious, several meetings were held at parish level. Leaders from other faiths — including Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Sikhs — attended, alongside political leaders, laity movements, and social activists. The public meetings were held under police protection.
Historical Background
On 10 August 1950, India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, signed the Presidential (Scheduled Castes) Order, inserting Clause 3, which excluded Dalit Christians and Muslims from the Scheduled Caste list. The clause declared: “No person who professes a religion different from the Hindu religion shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.”
Activities Across Tamil Nadu
The day’s observances included hoisting black flags in Christian homes and churches, wearing black badges, conducting public meetings and protest gatherings, delivering speeches on constitutional injustice, holding media briefings, passing resolutions demanding Scheduled Caste status, submitting memoranda to government officials and the SC/ST Commission, organising rallies and peace marches, drum beating, and forming human chains for awareness campaigns.
Action Plans
As part of the movement, a signature campaign was launched to urge the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to provide 4.6% internal reservation to Dalit Christians under the Backward Classes category, with collected signatures submitted in person. Social media campaigns carried unified messages, while awareness programmes targeted youth and college students. Legal awareness camps were held in rural and urban parishes, ecumenical collaboration was fostered with other Dalit Christian denominations, and documentation of lived experiences and discrimination was undertaken.
10 August is observed not only as a day of remembrance but also as a day of resistance. The Presidential Order of 1950 remains a deep wound in the lives of Dalit Christians. They stated that until Clause 3 is removed and full Scheduled Caste status is restored, their voices will continue to be raised in unity and peace.
By Fr. Nithiya OFM Cap
Executive Secretary, TNBC Commission for SC/ST
© 2025 CATHOLIC CONNECT POWERED BY ATCONLINE LLP
