Student Christian Movement of India

Theological Teachers and students from various institutions came together in a forum to interface Feminist, Dalit and Tribal/Adivasi theologies and mediate towards building a Theology of solidarity, during which a solidarity forum was proposed to build solidarity among each other for mutual learning and consorted witness. This forum was jointly organized by Board of Theological Education Senate of Serampore College (BTESSC), National Council of Churches of India (NCCI – COT & COD), and Student Christian Movement of India (SCMI) at SCMI House, Bangalore from 18^th to 20^th of November 2011. The forum brought out thoughtful insights to turn into praxis much written and read Indian Liberation Theologies, coupled with the search for commonalities in the life experiences of Women, Dalits and Tribals/Adivasis in India and to critically engage in making Theology contextually relevant.  

Researched presentations from participants ranged from re-reading the Biblical text to articulating womanist Literature, from re-visiting Tribal/Adivasi traditional culture to shifting power politics of subaltern communities, issues of climate Change to the plight of agrarian community, re-visioning an egalitarian society to a search for relevant theological directives towards social transformation at large. An in-depth discussion followed all these presentations.  The forum brought together Theological talks, ideas and directives and gave a clear call to “Walk the Talk” as one proceeds on in building a theology of Solidarity.

Earlier during the inauguration, Bishop Dr. Geevergheese Mor Coorilos, Chairperson of SCMI during his inaugural address called on a womanist understanding of motherhood from a subaltern perspective, where mothering and nurturing are important issues and proposed that issues of land can be a common denominator for all these our contextual theologies in carrying building solidarity. Rev. Dr. Mohan Larbeer, Secretary of BTESSC, Dr. Hrangthan Chhungi, Executive Secretary, Commission on Tribals/Adivasis of NCCI and Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, Executive Secretary, Commission on Dalits of NCCI and Rev. Raj Bharath Patta, General Secretary, SCMI moderated various sessions during the seminar. The participants brought out a statement expressing their commitment for the cause of building solidarity among all these our theologies. The participants of the seminar paid rich tributes to Dr. AP. Nirmal on the occasion of 30 years anniversary of his proposing ‘Sudhra Theology,’ which eventually paved the way for Dalit theology in 1981 as Carey memorial lecture in UTC, Bangalore.

Ms. Aosenla Jamir,

Study Secretary,

Communications, SCMI