Towards a constructive dalit theology : a critique on the methodological exclusivism of dalit theology

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This research critically analyzes Dalit theology’s methodological exclusivism and proposes constructive theological methodology to redefine and reconstruct Dalit theology to make it compatible with the modern challenges of the Dalit communities. Even though Dalit theology has emerged as a prominent theological trend in Indian Christian Theology (ICT) within the span of the past four decades, there has been a vital concern on its declining practical efficacy in recent past years. This research delves into a critical analysis of Dalit Theology’s methodological exclusivism and finds why it makes Dalit theology incompatible with the contemporary Dalit theologizing, and highlights the need for its reinterpretation. It then provides Constructive theology’s pragmatic methodology to deconstruct and reconstruct Dalit theology, making constructive proposals to Dalit theology that moves beyond exclusivism towards inclusivism and plurality, and especially Dalit Christology that speaks of an “Undefined Christ” who transcends the social, political, cultural, and even religious interpretations and limitations.
Keywords: Dalits, Dalit struggles, Dalit theology, Indian Christian Theology, Sanskritic traditions, Methodological Exclusivism, Constructive Theology, Pragmatic methodology, Christology, Undefined Christ, triple-delinking