NEW
DELHI: Data provided by a National Sample Survey report in 2004-05 shows that
the Christian community treats its women better —its sex ratio is the
highest among all communities in India. This can also be partly due to the fact
that a significant segment of the Christian population belongs to the tribal
areas of the North East, and the tribals do not endorse the inhuman practice of
female foeticide or discrimination against the girl
child.
Sustained educational
levels have led the Christians to a better economic status in India. According
to the NSS Report, 47% of Christians in urban areas and 38% in the rural areas
come within the top third of monthly earning categories, much ahead of Hindus
(24%) and Muslims (20%). Correspondingly, Christians have the lowest proportion
in the bottom third with only 8% belonging to this category, compared to 12%
Hindus and 25%
Muslims.
However, education
cannot by itself be the path for economic progress__this is also brought out by
their experience.
Their
participation in the workforce is roughly the same as for other communities
among men and slightly higher among women. But compared to five years ago, this
represents a slowing down of their economic contribution, and hence implies
lesser opportunities. This is further confirmed by unemployment rates. Among
Christians, the extent of unemployed has increased from 4% to 4.4% in rural
areas, and from 7% to 9% in urban areas between 1999-2000 and 2004-05. For other
communities, it has remained broadly the same, or it has slightly
decreased.
It is perhaps due to
this increasing economic pressure being felt by the community that the issue of
caste discrimination within the Christian community has come to the fore in
recent years. According to some experts, over 70% of Christians are considered
lower castes within the community. In the striving for better livelihoods,
social discrimination of this sort is being resisted through demands for
affirmative action. While there is cause for anger among Christians, there is
also courage engendered by education and culture.
And, as St. Augustine wrote
one and a half millennia ago, Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are
anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do
not remain the way they
are.
subodh.varma@timesgroup.com