Dalit Oppression

These are notes from the sermon at Apex by Joseph D'Souza. I would highly encourage you to listen to the podcast or go here to see the work this man is doing for those who are oppressed and outcast.
The picture of the clay pot above represents their symbol for brokeness and oppression. They brought clay pots for everyone who came to service to use as a reminder to pray for these people and to do something. You can also get your clay pot by going to the website.

"Dalit Oppression and the Clay Cup™

‘Dalit’ is an ancient Marathi (Western Indian language) word that may be defined as “ground” or “broken in pieces”. It refers to people who have been broken or ground down by those above them in a deliberate and active way. This word perfectly describes the 250 million Indians who exist outside of India’s caste society: those who are traditionally known as the “outcastes” or “untouchables.”image

Clay, or mud cups were historically used by restaurants, tea shops and train stations in India to serve Dalits separately. Dalits had to destroy the cup after each use so that no upper caste customer would ever use it and risk ‘contamination’ by a Dalit’s ‘uncleanness.’ Today, clay cups are commonly used and are no longer exclusively limited to Dalits. Dalits, however, are still rarely served in glass or metal vessels/cups which could carry their ‘uncleanness.’


Notes:

The "untouchables: or Dalits have no rights...no social rights, no political rights, and even no spiritual rights.
India has a hierarchy caste system. The upper caste makes up 15% of the population. It's minority ruling majority. The slave caste represents 45%..these are the laborers.
The lowest are the Dalits believed to have been born into this caste based on past sin in previous life.
In the 1990's these people came to the church of Christ to be accepted..they revolted against their Hindu religion
They came with cries for freedom :

1 Free our children...child labor is prevalent as in Slumdog Millionaire.

2 Free our women. Trafficking is a huge problem. There are no girls under the age of 5 in families. They are sold into brothels and temple prostitution.

3 Free ourselves. We want to know Jesus. Bring the power of the gospel.

What can you do?
PRAY!!
Become involved.