Toward a Comparative Theology of Liberation

Abstract

Comparative Theology is a promising academic discipline. Yet, Comparative Theology appears to lag behind liberation theologies when it comes to addressing unjust and oppressive social realities. This seems to be particularly true in the case of comparative theological projects related to Hinduism. Many comparative theologians engaging with Hinduism, with very few exceptions, have overlooked the injustices caused by caste and untouchability, which occupy an important place in the Indian culture. One of the possible ways of handling such issues is to allow Comparative Theology to enter into critical conversations with liberation theologies, which in this case is Dalit Liberation Theology. Such an integrated theology would open up possibilities of articulating a people-centered, non-identitarian, and interreligious Theology of Liberation.