MPs suggest new approach for Dalit Christians, Muslims rights

A meeting of MPs and party functionaries with Christian and Muslim leaders on Thursday called for a different approach to deal with the issue of reservation for people of Scheduled Caste origin in both Christian and Muslim communities.

While noting that justice has been delayed for over 60 sixty years, speakers at the meeting in the Church of North India headquarters in Delhi stressed on intensifying the campaign and employing fresh methodological approaches.

Christians have been demanding for the deletion of Para 3 of the Constitution Order 1950 which made reservations for education and employment available to low caste Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.

Lok Sabha MP from Hyderabad and president of Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen Asaduddin Owaisi said the government denying equality and justice is going against the principles of the Constitution. "If secular UPA Government can't render justice, which government can?" he asked.

While urging Christian and Muslim leaders to change their strategies, Owaisi said it was high time the issue was made 'political'. "It sounds radical and aggressive, but how much has holding rallies, giving memorandums and meeting the Prime Minister helped? Being soft has not helped, may be speak in the language they understand," he suggested.

Organised by the NCCI, CBCI and National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC), Thursday's meeting saw the participation of several MPs that include PR Natarajan of CPI-M; Harsh Kumar, Prof PJ Kurien, Husain Dalwai, JD Seelam, CL Ruala, Dr Charles Dias and Francisco Sardinha from Indian National Congress; Syed Azeez Pasha, D Raja, P Lingam from CPI; Mohammed Shafi from Jammu Kashmir National Congress; and Ali Anwar Ansari from Janta Dal United.

All the MPs supported the Dalits Christians and Muslims' demand and assured they would continue to campaign for the rights.

"The report has already been tabled in the Lok Sabha. Now we are demanding for the action report. The CPI-M will support your demand inside as well as outside the Parliament," said MP Natarajan.

CPI MP Syed Aziz Pasha said: "The government is giving lame excuses. The movement has to be further intensified. For the last 7 years, the government is delaying response on this matter. Our democracy is useless if this discrimination goes on."

Adding to it, Congress leader JD Seelam said Christians and Muslims must join hands and fight together on the issue. "The joined effort of Christian and Muslim leaders will build up pressure on the government. Together meet the decision makers and in all levels our support will be with you," he said.

Next week Christian and Muslim leaders will be submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister, reminding him of the government's past assurances.

The writ petition filed in the Supreme Court in 2004 and other petitions praying for the deletion of Para 3 of 1950 Order are unduly delayed because of the indifference of the Union Government to give a reply to the Supreme Court.