Dalit communities, experiences, and theologies provide a critical and decolonial approach to comparative theologies and Christian theologies of liberation. Attending to Dalit traditions through comparative theology may lead to multireligious and interreligious solidarity and co-resistance against local and global structures of oppression and ideological discourses of marginalization. One paper explores how Christian Dalit theologians may learn from the liberation struggles of Dalits of other faith traditions, seeking to elevate the liberative possibilities inherent in such an attempt in the context of the emergence of new empires of majoritarian nationalism and religious supremacies. The second paper contrasts Hindu and Christian theological ideals of liberation and equality with the social reality of Hindu and Christian oppression of the marginalized. The third paper examines the intersections of Korean Han and Dalit Pathos, both to enrich theological understanding and to inspire a collective pursuit of justice and liberation that transcends cultural and religious boundaries.
This paper explores the promise that a comparative shift in Dalit Theology will hold both for the development of Dalit Theology in the context of its ongoing critiques (of its epistemological binarism, as well as insufficient comprehensiveness), as well as the changing Indian context of growing religious nationalisms, which necessitates significant levels of subaltern as well as interreligious solidarity as an antidote. It takes into serious consideration the changing global theological contexts where liberation theologies are no longer the prerogative of Christians, but are also being articulated by Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim scholars, it lifts up liberative motifs within different Dalit traditions that can transform Dalit Theology. Through a careful reading of the signs of our times, the paper seeks to outline the shape and scope of a comparative theology of Dalit liberation, which would be more aligned with the visions of some of the earliest proponents of Dalit theology.
The Dalit situation in India and its relation to Hinduism has parallels that can be drawn to the slavery and oppression of Black and African Americans in the United States, a country founded on overtly Christian theological sentiments. Both countries have religious majorities with theological ideals of equality and non-discrimination, and yet both have long histories of oppression and dehumanization of minority populations. However, the civil rights movement in the United States was ultimately inspired by the reaffirmation of Christian religious ideals; this work seeks to reaffirm Hindu ideals of non-discrimination and equality present in fundamental texts and embodied by figures both historical and modern, from the Alvars in South India (7th-10th century) to 20th century Hindu leaders. This comparative approach brings the sociocultural scenarios of the U.S. and India into dialogue around issues of oppression and religious ideals, providing a new angle to the often-oppositional Hindu-Dalit relationship.
This research delves into a comparative study of Korean "Han" and Dalit "Pathos" within the framework of Dalit Theology, employing comparative theology to explore themes of injustice, resilience, and liberation across cultural and religious contexts. Examining primary literature and secondary sources uncovers the emotional and cultural depths of Han and Pathos, their historical development, and their theological implications. The study highlights how Han, rooted in Korean spirituality and reflecting a narrative of sorrow and justice, resonates with universal themes within Christian theology, while Dalit Pathos, arising from the caste-based oppression in Hinduism, articulates a profound sense of injustice and longing for liberation. Through a comparative theological methodology, this research seeks to enrich Dalit Theology by integrating insights from Korean Han, emphasizing the importance of inclusive, empathetic, and action-oriented theological frameworks to reaffirm and deepen the Christian commitment to justice and liberation.