CONVERSION OF SCHEDULED CASTES INTO CHRISTIAN FAITH

 

A significant episode was the conversion of Scheduled Castes (Pulayas) of our Islands to Christian faith during the deluge of 1099 ME corresponding to August 1924. The floods lasted for about two weeks. Kuttanad and Alleppy in Travancore, and  deltan regions of Kochi lay submerged for days in the water that was gushing in, nature’s fury with a vengeance. When the Islands in Kumbalam Village were submerged, the Scheduled Caste families suffered the most; rain water flooded their dilapidated huts. Fr. Joseph Painumkal, a Syrian  Catholic priest, took the initiative and provided them with food, clothes and shelter in the church buildings. They were engaged for casual labour. Lured by these, some of them converted into Christian faith on the basis of quid proquo, mutual benefit. Some converts chose Christian faith out of genuine belief in its doctrines especially hell and heaven. Majority of the others appear to have accepted the new religion for practical purposes, including economic reasons, social advancement and the possibility of entering the nobility. Did the hierarchy of the Church help them achieve their goal? The conversion to Christian faith did not improve their backwardness. They continue to be socially, culturally, educationally and economically backward. The Scheduled Caste Converts to Christianity were denied the right to get 22% reservation guaranteed under the Constitution of India. Did the hierarchy of the Church help them to effectively retrieve their lost right of reservation in government appointments and other benefits? I am of the opinion that a bridge is not only to pass but also to re-pass. If conversion to another community could lose reservation; a re-conversion would definitely enable them to enjoy the right of reservation conferred on Scheduled Castes. A review and reconsideration of the subject matter by constitutional authorities would give justice to the Scheduled Caste Converts to other communities and vice-versa.

 

Excerpts from

 

MEMOIRS

 

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com