MM Thomas - Life, Legacy and Theology

THEOLOGY OF MADATHILPARAMPIL MAMMEN THOMAS
FROM MARXISM TO AMBEDKARISM
V.T. RAJSHEKAR
It was a surprise phone call by the late Dr. M.M. Thomas, then Director of the CISRS,
that perhaps brought about a turning point in my life and also made me plunge into the
Dalit movement wholesale. Until the 70s, I was fully immersed in Marxism though I was
gradually getting disappointed with its leadership’s stubborn adherence to “class struggle”
ignoring the fact of caste in India. I tried my best to persuade the upper caste Marxist
leadership to take note of the “caste’ but it was not willing. “Class” is nothing but caste in
India. India’s Marxist leadership used Marxism to deceive the vast Dalits and Backward
Castes to maintain the upper caste hegemony on the party. I was slowly getting
disappointed with the Marxists and taking interest in Dr. Ambedkar, independent India’s
leader of the oppressed masses.
I was then in the Indian Express, Bangalore, as its Deputy Chief Reporter. Indian Express
in those days was the country’s largest circulated English daily. In its Aug.15, 1975
edition, it carried my article, “Dalit movement in Karnataka”, on its prestigious edit page.
SLAVES OF HINDU INDIA
Next day I got a call from Dr. Thomas asking me if I could develop the article and write a
book itself which the CISRS would publish. I jumped at the idea because that would give
me an opportunity to write my first book. Next day I went to CISRS office on Millers Road
in Bangalore and met Dr. Thomas whom I found an extraordinary person.
Dalits are Hindu India’s slaves — not only neglected and forgotten but the worst
persecuted lot despite the fact they comprise the country’s single largest segment (20%),
I was wondering how the head of a big Christian organisation spared a thought for the
forgotten “Wretched of the earth”?
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