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BOOKS:
AUTHORSPEAK
T.K.
OOMMEN: Missionary
Position
 Professor
T.K. Oommen, 62, is in the process of consuming a south Indian lunch,
the aroma of which is enough to drive all thoughts of academia from one's
mind. But once through, the professor of sociology at Jawaharlal Nehru
University proves that his 36 years in commanding the attention of insouciant
M.A. students has not gone in vain.
Oommen's
fascination with the professional world has led to the fourth in his series
on careers-after doctors and nurses, social workers and lawyers, The Christian
Clergy in India, Volume I (Sage) is for aspirants to the white robe. The
study on the formation and role of the Christian clergy assumes particular
significance for Oommen in the wake of what he describes as a "hate
campaign" against India's Christian community. "There has been
a lot of misinformation regarding the conversion of non-Christians into
Christianity," he says. "I believe that on the whole, conversion
is not on the agenda of the Indian priests. They are merely performing
the role of social reformers who offer persons the possibility of emancipation
from the ritual degradation to which they are subjected."
Oommen's
research, conducted with co-author Hunter P. Mabry, led him to believe
that it is the work of non-government organisations (NGOs) created and
manned by Christian groups that discomfit the hierarchy of Hindu society.
"Such NGOs make people cognisant of their rights. When a Dalit man
is made aware, he begins questioning the establishment." But Oommen
finds himself seeking answers within the injured party as well. "If
all that the Christians are involved in is social emancipation, why are
they an object of hatred?" he asks. The professor's proposition?
Self-introspection and unity among the 150 Christian denominations in
the country, and their selection of a non-clerical spokesperson. "Most
people are utterly indifferent to religious practices. In fact, where
I come from, we joke that a Christian goes to church only thrice in his
life-at the time of his baptism, marriage, and death!" Perhaps after
reading his book, more frequent visits may ensue.
-Sonia
Faleiro
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