By Robancy A Helen
Chennai, Jan 20, 22: A social activist from Tamil Nadu, southern India, has received this year’s Raoul Wallenberg Prize, a prestigious award given by the European Council.
The ceremony took place in France and Arokiasamy Vincent Raj, popularly known as Evidence Kathir, received the award online on January 19. The award, given every two years, carries a cash prize of 10,000 Euros equivalent of 842,770 rupees, besides a citation.
“I am happy for Evidence Kathir. I wish him good luck for what he is doing for the Dalits and the Tribals,” said Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K Stalin in his congratulatory message.
Kathir runs a 25-year-old non-profit organization in Madurai that works mainly for Dalits and the Tribals in Tamil Nadu.
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.
The award is seen as “a great honor” for all Dalit activists and the human defenders in Tamil Nadu.
Kathir says he has been committed to the human rights issue for the past 25 years. “It is a challenging job and I feel its great recognition for my work,” he adds.
He recalls B R Ambedkar, a great Dalit leader who was the architect of the Indian Constitution. “He is my role model and all the people who are journeying with me,” Kathir says.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated Kathir. “For this achievement, human rights in India have to be viewed alongside Dalit rights. All the best for your future endeavors,” Gandhi tweeted.
Raoul Wallenberg was a Swedish diplomat who saved many Jews from genocide during the Second World War. He was killed in 1945 in the process.
Shalin Maria Lawrence, a writer, feminist and social activist from Tamil Nadu, says it is “a great honor to be awarded in the name of a noble person. I am happy that I am associated with Kathir/”
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,” Lawrence says.
Lawrence recalled asking Kathir, “Are you not afraid of your life? He responded, “As Dalits, we are not protected in India. If I am getting killed while protecting people, it is not a big deal.”
Kathir says he values people and his Catholic upbringing emboldens him to risk his life to work for justice. Although he is not religious, Kathir says he has learned a lot from the life of Jesus, especially his words, “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.
Kathir’s award puts the limelight on the caste issue in India. It is expected to draw world attention to the proper and trigger global intervention.
Tamil Nadu Minister Thol Thirumavalavan tweeted, “We all hope something good will come out of the achievement of Kathir for the Dalits in India,”
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The European Council consists of 27 countries. Established as an informal summit in 1975, it is a collegiate body that defines the overall political directions and priorities of the European Union. It was formalized as an institution in 2009 upon the commencement of the Treaty of Lisbon. It is composed of the heads of state or government of the EU member states, along with the president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission.