By Robancy A Helen
Arokiasamy Vincent Raj popularly known as Evidence Kathir received the prestigious award Raoul Wallenberg Prize with the cash of 10,000 euros for this year by the European Council.
The council consists of 47 countries. This award is conferred once in two years.
The ceremony took place in France and Kathir received it online on January 19.
“I am happy for Evidence Kathir, a social activist from Tamil Nadu. I wish him good luck for what he is doing for the Dalits and the Tribals,” said M.K Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, south India.
Kathir runs a non-profit organization in Madurai. He is a human rights activist working for the Dalits and the Tribals in Tamil Nadu for over 25 years.
He and his team reach out when atrocities against Dalits and Tribals take place. He trains human rights defenders especially the youth in Tamil Nadu.
It is a great honour for all the Dalit activists and the human defenders in Tamil Nadu.
This is the first time a Dalit and a South Indian is conferred this renowned award.
“I have committed to the human rights issue for 25 years and it is a challenging job and I feel its great recognition for my work,” says Kathir.
“At this moment, I remember Dr. B.R Ambedkar who is my role model and all the people who are journeying with me,” he adds.
“Congratulations to Arokiasamy Vincent Raj. For this achievement, human rights in India have to be viewed alongside Dalit rights. All the best for your future endeavours,” tweets Rahul Gandhi, former president of Congress Party.
Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who saved many lives of the Jews caught the genocide during the Second World War and he was killed in 1945 in the process.
“It is a great honour to be awarded in the name of a noble person. This award has been conferred on time in the history of South Asia. I am happy that I am associated with Kathir,” overwhelms Shalin Maria Lawrence, a writer, feminist and social activist from Tamil Nadu.
Kathir is Maria Lawrence’s mentor in addressing the caste atrocities against Dalits.
“It was Kathir who made me realize the disadvantages of being a Dalit in Tamil Nadu. It is through him, I witnessed the pain and inequalities of the Dalits in India. That’s where I started my journey protecting and the Dalit rights,” adds Maria Lawrence.
“I have been observing him [Kathir] for a long time and he has done a tremendous job,” he says.
Once Maria Lawrence asked Kathir, “Are you not afraid of your life? “As Dalits, we are not protected in India. If I am getting killed while protecting people, it is not a big deal,” said Kathir.
Kathir values the lives of people and risking his own life, thriving for justice comes from his Catholic upbringing. Though he is not religious, Kathir says what he learned a lot from the life of Jesus—‘You have to lay your life for the sake of your brothers and sisters.’
Kathir has the spirit of Jesus and has taken Dr. Ambedkar as his role model through his life fighting for the dignity of the Dalits, oppressed and women.
The award is not just a reward for Kathir’s tremendous work but it is also awareness for the world to know the caste atrocities the Dalits face in India.
Lots of global movements including the United Nations recognize racism but not casteism. It is not recognized as a social evil. This will be an opening for the people in Europe to discuss what is happening in India as India is always portrayed as culturally rich but in reality, Dalits are killed here and continue to face discrimination and exploitation.
Kathir’s award puts the limelight on the caste issues in India and it will be given due attention and the word will spread globally to have a proper intervention.
“We all hope something good will come out of the achievement of Kathir for the Dalits in India,” Minister Thol Thirumavalavan tweeted a message congratulating Kathir.
Congrats god bless! Keep it up. God is on your side. Fr Stan will bless you too