Intersection of Caste, Religion, and Occupation: The Story of Christian Sweepers in Pakistan
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The majority of Christians in Pakistan are working as sweepers in sanitation work, socially viewed as degraded and devalued labour. Historically, these people were converted to Christianity from the downtrodden outcaste groups (Chura castes), from 1870’s to 1920’s by Western missionaries. However, today the educated class of Christians deny their own history of religious conversion, but scars of oppressed Chura caste are manifested in the lived realities of Christians in Pakistan.
Join us for a webinar with Ayra Indrias Patras, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Forman Christian College University, Lahore. Moderated by Sharika Thiranagama, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University.
Dr. Ayra Indrias Patras is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Forman Christian College University, Lahore. Patras pursues academic research in questioning the injustices and inequalities emanating from social divisions based on class, caste, gender, and religion. Patras's obtained a doctoral degree in Gender Studies and has a long standing relationship with a women’s rights platform in Pakistan, Women Action Forum. Patras is involved in debates and action through public protests and lobbying efforts with state organs in order to raise problems that curtail and constrain the human rights of women and religious minorities in Pakistan. Patras also works on multiple community-based welfare projects on healthcare, education, and skill empowerment for grassroots communities in Pakistan.
If you require a disability-related accommodation, please email us at southasiainfo@stanford.edu. Requests should be made by November 23rd.