Dalit Christians in Andhra Pradesh seek SC status

Hyderabad, Nov. 21, 2004 – The Andhra Pradesh Dalit Christians Chaitanya Vedike held a 'Mahasabha' in Vijayavada recently to press for the introduction of a bill in Parliament to give Scheduled Caste (SC) status.

Vedike President G Jayaraj and General Secretary Bodapati Babu Rao said in a press conference that it was ''unjust'' to deny reservation for Dalits when they followed religion of their choice provided for by Article 25 of the Constitution.

Mr Rao, who is also the State Congress SC Department Secretary, said a delegation of Vedike members would go to New Delhi during the winter session of Parliament and call on United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to press their long–pending demand.

While tribals continued to enjoy the benefits of reservation whatever be their religion, Dalit Christians were denied reservation, they added.