CNI miffed by Govt. stand on Dalit Christian issue

New Delhi – The Church of North India (CNI) has expressed its displeasure and disappoint at the position adopted by the Indian Government before the Supreme Court of India with regard to the Dalit Christian issue of affirmative action in the public sector.

On November 28, the Indian Government, represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Gopal Subramanian, submitted before the bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal, Mr Justice C K Thakker and Mr Justice R V Raveendran that the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, which has been entrusted with giving recommendations on extending the benefit of reservation to people from the scheduled caste embracing Christianity, had already visited seven states to conduct research and ascertain the views of state governments.

Besides questioning the jurisdiction of the judiciary in a matter that was “legislative in nature,” ASG Subramanian also expressed his reservations about the veracity of the claims of the Dalit Christians who complain of caste discrimination and are demanding equal rights.

“Even though, the new Chief Justice, Mr. Y.K. Sabharwal, very clearly mentioned that the court will examine the issue of granting scheduled castes status to the Dalit Christians after getting detailed information, the government tried best to question both the jurisdiction of the Court and the demand of the minority community,” CNI General Secretary, The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, said in a CNI press release. “The former Chief Justice, Lakhoti had hauled up the government repeatedly while hearing Public Interest Litigation applications seeking dignity and protection of law for Christians of scheduled caste origin.”

“More than 85 percent of the members of the Church of North India come from Dalit background and such an attitude of the UPA government has saddened by the contrary positions taken in its public assurances and its arguments before the Supreme Court,” Rev. Pradhan continued. “The Left, the DMK and other UPA allies as also senior Congress leaders have repeatedly assured that the Government is sympathetic towards our cause.”

The CNI General Secretary has also urged the UPA Chairperson, Smt Sonia Gandhi, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and others to take immediate steps to remove the 50 year old discrimination against the Christian of scheduled caste origin and restore justice which is denied to India’s 16 million Christian converts from scheduled caste, the once untouchable castes.