New publication on Dalit theology launched
From left to right: Surinder S. Jodhka, Yogesh K.Saxena (Oxford University Press), Philip Peacock, Bishop Taranath Sagar, Deenabandhu Manchala, Rowena Robinson and Sathianathan Clarke.
Has Dalit theology reached an impasse since its early burst of creative energy in the late eighties and early nineties? This is the question that a new publication entitled "Dalit Theology in the Twenty-First Century: Discordant Voices, Discerning Pathways" seeks to address.
This volume of sixteen new articles on Dalit theology, edited by Rev. Dr Sathianathan Clarke, Rev. Dr Deenabandhu Manchala and Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, was released at a function in the Church of North India Bhavan, New Delhi, India on 22 October 2010.
The essays in the volume challenge stereotypical assumptions and re-examine the ways in which Dalit realities are imagined, interpreted and circulated in different ecclesial communities across India.
Jointly published by the Oxford University Press, New Delhi, and the World Council of Churches (WCC), the timely release of this new volume is described by Manchala, WCC programme executive for Justice and Inclusive Communities and one of the editors of the book, as being the result of “many layers of partnership”.
Speaking at the function Manchala described the unique new direction the book has taken in locating Dalit resistance and resilience as a legitimate source of doing Dalit theology in the twenty-first century. The release of the book was part of the Ecumenical Conference on Justice for Dalits organized by the National Council of Churches in India in partnership with the WCC, 22-24 October.
The book release was presided over by Dr Surinder S. Jodhka, professor of sociology at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Speaking about the book, Jodkha commended the possibilities it opened for the secular academy to engage with theologians as well as the challenge it brings to practitioners of other faiths to speak to the question of caste.
Also speaking at the book release were Dr Rowena Robinson, professor at the Centre for the Study for Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Bishop Dr Taranath Sagar of the Methodist Church in India, the current president of the National Council of Churches in India.
While Robinson noted that the book brought Dalit theology in the arena of secular mainstream academics, Bishop Sagar commended the authors and called for theologians to direct their efforts towards participating in the struggles of Dalits.
Dalit Theology in the Twenty-First Century is widely available through online book shops.
More information on WCC work for Just and Inclusive Communities
