In 2007, a low-caste law student named "Raj" (named changed) had just finished his schooling. He stopped at a tea stand for a cup of tea when a young friend called him by his caste name. The tea stall owner immediately flew into a rage, claiming that Raj had defiled his cup and the table this young man had touched, demanding double payment on both accounts. Raj noticed that a dog was urinating on the table leg—but the shop owner viewed it with indifference. Crushed and enraged, he decided that his only hope was to be found in repudiating Hinduism. He gathered thirty of his young friends and began a forty-day march in the middle of the rainy season through various parts of the state of Madhya Pradesh. They took neither money nor food. They visited one hundred villages of approximately one hundred thousand people, declaring the need to leave Hinduism. As they journeyed, these men discussed the future for their people. Some had heard of Christianity, but Raj proclaimed his militant atheism.  

Through divine appointment, Raj met with the leader of a partnering ministry in M.P. who connected Raj with Truthseekers. During several days of discussions, Raj encountered the One who can bring true freedom to him and his people. We call this One, Jesus. Raj calls Him Baliraja, which means “Sacrificial King.” This Name, Baliraja, has been in their culture for thousands of years, but they have never known a real god who fit the description. Now they know! 

Raj and his group of leaders asked the Truthseekers leadership to come and take part in a freedom rally they were organizing for their people. It would be in April. There, they would officially declare their freedom from caste, and their desire to follow Baliraja. 

On April 13, 2007, the day before the rally, over 40 of the leaders of this caste decided to follow Baliraja. Of these forty, about twenty-five asked to be baptized at dawn that morning. 

Raj was arrested later that day. The authorities had previously given permission for this caste to hold the rally on April 14. However, the authorities changed their minds, and declared that the potters could no longer hold the rally. Later that evening, Raj was let out on bail, and the leaders decided to go ahead with their plans, but to move the rally outside of town. In retaliation, the authorities stationed police along the perimeter of the site (including 3 paddy wagons to carry people to prison), and blocked all roadway access. In the end, about 500 of the originally expected 30,000 made it to the new venue. 

Although much reduced in numbers, the rally was a foundational event in the life of India. Low-caste Indians began declaring for themselves freedom from caste, denouncing the oppression of Brahmanism, and proclaiming that a life of freedom, salvation, and redemption is available for all Indians. They confronted the authorities head-on, not with violence, but with words of truth. One observer of the rally stated, “we’ve never seen such fearlessness.” 

Speaking to the crowd, and particularly to the local authorities who were putting so much pressure on them, Raj declared, “You can treat my body however you like. When you treated me less than a dog (due to my caste), I died every day. Now, I have real life, regardless of what you do to this body!” (not an exact quote) 

The media was completely barred from this event, but that doesn’t prevent 500 people from spreading word. Word will spread. Hope is coming! People are seeing light in the darkness! 

Please continue to pray for the leaders of the potter’s caste in the state of M.P. Although some of the leaders took baptism that day, many others did not, even though they follow, worship and believe in the One, Baliraja. They decided to not take baptism for this reason: they did not want to create any barrier between themselves and the other 99% of their caste who have yet to fully embrace Baliraja. Raj and the other leaders are praying for their whole people to follow the One. When the people are ready, Raj wants to lead them all in baptism. We marvel at his heart and vision for his people. Pray for him, that his dream will be realized soon!