- 18 August, 2026
CHENNAI, AUGUST 18, 2026: Church groups across Tamil Nadu held rallies, demonstrations, awareness meetings, peace marches and petition campaigns on August 10, renewing the demand for Scheduled Caste (SC) status for Dalit Christians.
The programmes were coordinated by the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Conference (TNBC) Commission for SC/ST as part of a statewide “Black Day/Day of Awakening” campaign. Organisers called for the removal of Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which currently limits SC status to members of specified religions.
Programmes were held in dioceses across the eastern, western, central, northern and southern regions of the state, with Church leaders joined by political representatives, advocates, social activists, people’s movement leaders and representatives of other Christian denominations and faith communities.
In Dindigul, a programme at St Thomas Pastoral Centre brought together Bishop P. Thomas Paulsamy, priests, senior advocates, social activists, people’s movement representatives and interfaith leaders.
A programme organised by the Sivagangai diocese at the District Collectorate Campus in Ramanathapuram was attended by former and present public representatives, including Member of Parliament K. Navaskani, along with priests, religious and interfaith leaders.
In Srivilliputhur, the Madurai diocese organised a programme at CMS Martin Ground. Archbishop Antony Savarimuthu, CSI Bishop Jeyasingh Prince Prabhakaran and representatives of CPI, Viduthalai Tamil Puligal Katchi and CPI(M) participated along with Church and interfaith representatives.
The Dharmapuri diocese held a programme at Our Lady of Health Church, Pappireddipatti, attended by Bishop Lawrence Pius, former minister Dr Palaniyappa, advocates, priests, political representatives and leaders of other faiths. Similar programmes were held at district offices in Salem and Namakkal.
In the central region, the dioceses of Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam jointly organised a programme at Sivagangai Park–Panagal Building in Thanjavur. Bishops Jeevanandam of Kumbakonam, Arokiyaraj of Tiruchirappalli and Sagayaraj of Thanjavur participated along with leaders of CSI and TELC, former MLA Sindhanai Selvan, Mayor Anjugam Bhoopathi and interfaith representatives.
The programme in Thanjavur brought together leaders from different dioceses and Christian denominations to press for equal constitutional rights for Dalit Christians.
In Chennai, the Chennai-Mylapore Archdiocese organised a programme at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine Campus, Perambur. Archbishop George Antony, representatives of the Railway SC/ST Union, priests, religious and interfaith leaders participated.
The Chengalpattu diocese held a programme at the NH Bypass-Cathedral Campus, with Bishop Neethinathan joined by Church leaders, representatives of CSI, ALC and TELC, political leaders and members of other faiths.
In Vellore, Bishop Ambrose participated in a programme near Anna Kala Rangam along with CSI Bishop Sharma Nithiyanandam, priests, religious, political representatives from CPI, CPM and VCK, and interfaith leaders.
The Pondicherry-Cuddalore Archdiocese organised a programme at Villupuram Municipal Ground. Archbishop Francis Kalist, priests, representatives of people’s movements, leaders of MMK and IUML, interfaith representatives and political leaders participated.
In the southern region, the dioceses of Palayamkottai, Kottar, Tuticorin and Kuzhithurai jointly organised a programme at Vannarapettai in Palayamkottai. Bishop Stephen of Tuticorin and Fr Motcha Rajan, Apostolic Administrator of Palayamkottai, were among those who participated, along with priests, religious, former MP Vijila Sathyanandam, representatives of democratic organisations and interfaith leaders.
The campaign sought to broaden public awareness of the demand for SC status for Dalit Christians and build cooperation among Christian denominations, civil society groups and religious communities. The participation of political representatives was also aimed at strengthening dialogue on the issue.
The TNBC SC/ST Commission said its future priorities include awareness programmes on constitutional rights, training on the rights of Dalit Christians, greater involvement of youth and women, advocacy for reservation at the state level, ecumenical and interfaith cooperation, engagement with political and social leaders, digital awareness campaigns, documentation and submission of memoranda and representations.
The campaign is being led by Bishop Jeevanandam, chairman of the TNBC SC/ST Commission, and Fr Nithiya Sagayam OFM Cap, its secretary, who have called for continued democratic and constitutional advocacy for the rights, equality and dignity of Dalit Christians.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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