Father Dominic Emmanuel, Spokesperson of the Dalhi archdiocese said, “It is not the church which keeps records (on whether a person is a Dalit Christian). We will have to rely on what people say--- we will have to see their antecedents. It is claimed and rightly so that 60 per cent of Christians in India are Dalits. Since it is not defined in the constitution, people are not clear in their minds whether they are Dalit Christians. “Emmanuel said that in certain cases, a person’s surname could be an indicator that he is a Dalit Christian. But many such people change their names after baptism. Since at times, “It is difficult to find out,” adivasi societies and the Dalit Christian leadership could be tapped for the purpose, suggested a retired Catholic father.

“The college will go by candidates’ certificates issued by their church certifying them as Dalits.” said Thampu (bottom) According to Thampu, 80 per cent of the Christians in north India are Dalits but the group’s population in India varies from one source to another. For example according to a US-based Dalit Christian organisation, there are 19 million “Dalit Christians” in India, who comprise some 70 per cent of the total 24 million members of the community. R.L. Francis, President, Poor Christian Liberation Movement, an organisation for Dalit Christians, seconds the 70 per cent figure but claims that they number 30 million. However, if the retired priest is to be believed. “Dalit Christians are only in Bihar and Chhotanagpur. At best, 30 per cent of Christians in all of India are Dalits. There are not so many in the south.”

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Delhi, Vincent Michael Concessao, is going to send out circulars about St. Stephen’s voluntary affirmative action policy to all Catholic institutions and churches so that people take advantage of it, informed Emmanuel.

With a view to ensure that only genuine contenders benefit. Francis claimed, he has written to Thampu saying that church authorities should set up a committee – which includes Dalit Christian representatives – to issue certificates. However, Thampu denied having received any letter, adding, “ I don’t think we need any help – I will verify each of those certificates because I don’t want this to be misused.”