Christianity in India

Only 2.9% of India's population are Christians, 85% of which are from Dalit communities. Similarly, 80% of the Churches in India are located in these Dalit communities. Most of the Indian population share an opinion that Christianity is the religion of the Untouchables.

Reasons (Source from Udayam Newspaper)

In many villages, Dalits were not permitted to enter into Hindu temples. so they are mostly idol worshipers with many Gods/Goddesses without even knowing the background or history.

Christian Missionaries initially came to India to preach the Gospel. They soon realized the need for enacting the teachings of Christ through social action in addition to preaching his Word, so they started acting out God's Word in rural India. They put the Word into practice. "Jesus began to do and teach" (Acts 1:1). They worked to bring homogenous social order on the basis of human values of equality, liberty, justice and universal brotherhood. They started schools in Dalit colonies and hostels for the less privileged sections. They trained many Dalits as teachers to educate their own people - since most of the upper castes did not show interest to work for and with Dalits (the Project Director's father and mother were among them). They also started hospitals. As people started witnessing Christ's great "action-oriented" love and mission, Dalits started embracing Christianity. The untouchables were being touched by His love. The practice of equality shown by the Christian missionaries towards the prostitutes, leprosy patients, orphaned children, and the sick inspired them to embrace Jesus - the source of such unconditional love.

Dalits lose reservations if they take up Christianity; however, their position as untouchables remains unchanged.

There are churches built and run on the basis of castes. In some villages, the upper castes have their own Churches and do not encourage Dalits into their Church.