By IANS
Chennai : The head of a Dalit Christian group Wednesday demanded the resignation of Archbishop of Puducherry and Cuddalore Diocese, Rev. Anthony Anandarayar, while seeking equal rights to worship.
Suresh Rajan, president of the Dalit Emancipation Movement, alleged that the archbishop, who belonged to the upper caste Vanniyar community, was biased against Dalit Christians.
“We will launch a struggle demanding abrogation of the evil practice of untouchability, inclusion of our denomination into the list of Scheduled Caste and compensation for the closure of our shrine in Eraiyur village in Villupuram district under the archbishop’s orders,” Rajan said.
The clash between Vanniyar and Dalit Christians had led to police firing March 9 in the village that left two people dead.
Several Christian shrines in the districts of Villupuram, Cuddalore and Puducherry were closed following the clashes.