Adventist Workers Don Leaves to Protest Caste Abuse
10 June 2019 |
The Seventh-Day Adventists of Southern Asia Division Facebook group is reporting that employees from the Usilampatti Seventh-day Adventist School in Tamilnadu are protesting their dismissal by the school administration by donning dress of leaves. The workers say they are low caste, and that the bad treatment is a result of caste discrimination. The protest was sparked, according to the report, by the principal, Mr. Suresh, speaking to them disrespectfully and calling them “slave dogs”.
The workers, who are Seventh-day Adventists, were drivers, physical education instructors and teachers for many years at the school.
The protest was captured by news media, with leaf-dressed workers answering reporters’ questions.
The affected workers sent letters to church leaders and published a pamphlet describing the problem they are facing at Usilampatti Seventh-day Adventist School.
The Southern Asia Division (SUD) has been plagued by complaints against church leaders, from corruption and embezzlement to nepotism and sexual abuse. There is an allegation that a student was killed by a principal. Several workers, such as pastors and teachers, have gone public with documented claims of physically abusive treatment by educational and church leaders.
Letter, explanatory brochure, and newspaper report
