Demand for Dalit Christian reservation raised in Lok Sabha

The demand for reservation for Dalit Christians and Muslims were on the table for discussion in Lok Sabha last week.

Among several topics raised in the 'Lower House' on Feb. 25, was the reservation for Dalit Christians in private sector and the need for jobs quota to the Community.

K Francis George (Kerala Congress), appealed that government should render reservation status to Dalit Christians who he said has been deprived of their rights from the last fifty-nine years.

He cited and urged the authorities to consider the recommendations of Ranganath Mishra Commission that favored the SC status to Dalit Christians and Muslims.

By embracing Christianity, the economic status of a Dalit does not improve, therefore the reservation status must be extended to the Christian community, he said.

Iliyas Azmi (BSP) and Jaya Prada (SP) also joined their voices to denounce the biased judgment of the govt on the Dalits case.

16 million Dalit Christians are still waiting for SC status even after the Mishra Commission set by the government to study the socio-economic and educational status of Dalit Christians recommended extending the reservation to all Dalits irrespective of religion.

Para 3 of the 1950 Constitutional order restricted SC privileges only to those who profess Hinduism. However, later it was amended to include Sikhs and Buddhists but not Christians. Christians claim that injustice has been done to community.