4th August 1980 A WISE TEACHER

 
He was a Jesuit science teacher but his passion was working with rural Dalits (outcastes) in Northern India. During his school holidays Fr Phillip Manthara spent his time with them. They met for discussions in the evenings after the day’s work.
The Dalits complained that the higher caste people were preventing them drawing water from the village wells. “Father, will you take our grievance to the Divisional Officer?” “No. That wouldn’t be right. You must go yourselves and demand justice!”
“Well, will you write a letter of protest for us?” “No. It is your problem. You must write it yourselves.” “But none of us can write.” “O.K. I will write it but you must tell me what to write. Have you paper and a pen for me?”
“No Father. We don’t.” At this a seminarian sitting behind Fr Phillip whispered, “I have paper and a pen here.”
“Shut up, and keep them to yourself!” A half an hour passed and then a young woman arrived with a piece of paper and a pencil.
Fr Phillip then wrote the complaint just as the people expressed it. He handed it to them.
“But surely you will take it to the Divisional Officer, Father?” “No. It is your letter. You must deliver it.” A delegation took time off work to go the next day.
“Well, what happened?“ “When we came near his office we got scared and came back home.”
“Well, you will have to try again tomorrow.” After two more efforts the letter was eventually delivered.
In the meantime, Fr Phillip was asking what the people would do if the letter was ignored.
 
by Fr Frank Hoare

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