An Outcaste Voice Speaks At Ramapo College
(Mahwah) – M.C. Raj, co-founder and longtime (through 1995) director of India’s Rural Education for Development Society (REDS), will speak at Ramapo College of New Jersey Tuesday, October 29th at 4 p.m. in The Trustees Pavilion. “Outcaste (Dalit) Liberation in India” is his topic.
Once known as Untouchables, Dalits (the broken or down-trodden) are some 400,000,000 strong. The Dalits live in colonies adjacent to caste villages. Viewed as unclean meat-eating folks, they are relegated to poor land and separate wells. They are counted as Hindus, yet they are unwelcome in the temples. Intermarriage with their supposed caste betters is often met with violence. . . or worse. India’s constitution, written in large part by Dalit Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, contains language outlawing untouchability and serving as a foundation for legal claims reminiscent of those made during the Jim Crow era of the civil rights movement in the United States.
Founded in 1984, REDS has established a compelling voice in the international community. It is recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO). It made important contributions to the 2001 World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, despite opposition from the Indian government. And it has been recognized, through awards and appointments, for its nationwide leadership in struggles for justice and human rights.
A degreed student in philosophy, theology, and sociology, M.C. Raj remains active in REDS with an eye to developing a wider network to address issues on a national level. He has published books and articles dealing with the practical and theoretical aspects of REDS’ participatory training methodology, as well as Dalit rights, globalization, pluralism, and analysis of caste and class.
This event is sponsored by the Institute for Environmental Studies and the Office of International/Intercultural Education at Ramapo College of New Jersey.
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