Prime Minister Meets SC Status Demanding Christian Leaders

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met with Christian leaders and "promised to do whatever he can" to resolve the issue on Thursday, a day after Christians and Muslims protested in New Delhi demanding the Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians and Muslims as recommended by Justice Ranganath Misra Commission's recommendation.

The delegation which included Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi from the Catholic Bishop Conference of India (CBCI), Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary, NCCI, Mr. Alwan Masih, General Secretary of Church of North India Synod, and Ms. Leila Passah, General Secretary of YWCA requested the Prime Minister that the UPA Government must take speedy steps to implement the recommendations of National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (Ranganath Misra Commission), in the present session of parliament itself.

National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, also called as Ranganath Misra Commission constituted by the Government of India on 29 October 2004 submitted its report to the government on 21 May 2007, recommending granting of Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians and Muslims. The government is yet to take up the matter.

Christian leaders insisted that the UPA Government should immediately file a reply (affidavit/written statement) to the query of Honourable Superme Court of India on the Writ Petition No.180/2004 pending in the Supreme Court for the past 9 years and put an end to its deliberate delaying tactics.

Three Members of Parliament, including Minister of State for Finance J D Seelam (Congress), D Raja (CPI), and Vasanthi Stanley (DMK) also accompanied the delegation.

After meeting the PM, Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi told reporters: "The Prime Minister listened to us with all frankness and complete concern for the issue...He has promised to place the issue before the Cabinet and do whatever he can in his power to see that the issue is resolved."

Christian leaders also complained to the PM about the detention of Christian and Muslim protesters who were lathi charged, attacked with water cannons loaded with dirty water while staging a "peaceful" march to Parliament House the previous day demanding the SC status to their Dalit brethren.

"The Prime Minister apologized for the ruthless behavior of the police. He also assured the delegation that he would place the matter of justice to Dalit Christians and Muslims before the Cabinet and seek their consensus for appropriate action," said the statement from National Council of Churches in India.