ABSTRACT
This chapter explains why is it politically necessary for the Dalit Christians to interlock caste with the congregation in order to survive and pursue their community politics. Through this merger, this chapter examines questions surrounding an idea that how the church and its wellbeing becomes a prominent agenda of caste. For that to happen, the Mala caste group had to reorganize and realign its sangham (customary body) in tune with Christianity. The responsibility of merging caste and congregation was placed on the sangham elders, which is their customary body that takes care of the caste community’s every possible need. Because of this merger, it is now almost near impossible to distinguish between caste and congregation. Since the collective strength of community has a prominent role to play in their day-to-day politics, the caste and the Lutheran church community are using excommunication as a weapon to punish those who disobey the rules of caste and church, so that any potential split in the church community is addressed, and dealt coercively, if necessary. For all its political and economic purposes, interlocking caste and congregation is the only viable option to keep their flock together and stay united in the wake of growing unexpected caste atrocities on Dalits in this region.
