|TOP|Dalit leader, Udit Raj, has been forced to cancel a visit to London after he was arrested 17th May whilst on his way to a protest in New Delhi, India.

Standing for the rights of the most under-represented people in India, the Dalits, Raj was scheduled to visit the UK this week, but has been halted from fulfilling his engagements.

He was detained overnight after he led a group of Dalit and “Backward Caste” doctors and other activists in a protest to support the India government’s plan to grant affirmative action benefits to backward caste students in higher education.

This plan by the government, however, is greatly opposed by upper caste students, tell Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

|AD|Former Prime Minister of India, Mr. V.P. Singh, has called for a national rally to take place in support of the backward castes.

Raj is the President of the Indian Justice Party, which is committed to a caste-free society founded on equality and religious freedom. He is scheduled to address the rally, on 30th May in Lucknow.

Dr Raj said: “We have to struggle against the power monopoly of the upper castes who have garnered most of the privileges in Indian life, including in the field of education. It is impossible to understand why the upper castes, with all their access to money, education and power, are not willing to share and include the majority backward castes and Dalits in the fruits of development and prosperity, and the building of a successful India,” according to the Dalit Freedom Network.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW said, “We are concerned that a national Dalit leader such as Udit Raj should be arrested, although we are pleased he has now been released. We regret that he is unable to come to London as planned, but we will continue to stand with and speak out for the oppressed Dalit people of India until they can enjoy basic equal rights and religious freedom.”