Dalit Christians' march draws more than 10,000

More than 10000 people Thursday poured onto the streets of the Indian capital to bring pressure on the UPA government for Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians.

The march, joined by about 50 bishops and hundreds of priests, pastors and laypeople, began at the Ramlila grounds and proceeded up to Parliament.

Members of Parliament and leaders of political parties joined the march which marks the conclusion of a three-day fast that began on July 25.

The march was joined by political leaders that include D Raja, Ramvilas Paswan, Brinda Karat, Ali Anwar Ansari and Syed Aziz Pasha.

Dalit Christians and Muslims are demanding an amendment to the 1950 Presidential Order which made reservations for education and employment available to low caste Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. Dalits who convert to Christianity lose their benefits.

Protesters on Thursday called for the implementation of Ranganath Mishra Commission's report that has recommended the inclusion of Dalit Christians and Muslims in the SC category.

It has been over four years since the Mishra Commission recommended SC status to all Dalits irrespective of religion.

"It is sad and unfortunate that the Central Government has not taken any effective measures yet to address the genuine demand of these sections of Indian society," the National United Christian Forum (NUCF) said in a statement yesterday.

NUCF, which comprises of the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBCI), National Council of Churches (NCCI) and Evangelical Fellowship (EFI), maintained that it was "just and fair that the Christians and Muslims of Scheduled caste origin get the legal protection and other educational and employment benefits given to their counterparts in other religions".

"NUCF is convinced that change of one's religious faith, does not alter one's social status in India, and the Dalit Christians and Muslims in India have been victims of social and economic exploitation for centuries. Their demand is genuine and it needs to be addressed at the earliest so that they can also be on par with Dalit Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs," the statement said.

Thursday's march was organised by the National Coordination Committee for Dalit Christians, a joint program of the CBCI and NCCI.