Probe on Christian bureaucrats for fake SC certificates

Allegations of fake Scheduled Caste certificates used by converted Christians to acquire jobs, has led to a probe by the Indian government, who has listed the names of top bureaucrats - IAS, IPS and Parliamentarians.

Investigation has been ordered on over 600 govt. servants, mostly those from Orissa's Kandhamal district, media claimed.

According to the law, a Scheduled Caste Hindu, once converted to Christianity, loses all privileges and benefits he previously enjoyed.

Media alleged that those in Kandhamal who have converted to Christianity still continue to enjoy the SC privileges. Names of some of the high-profile Christians from the state include - Radhakanta Nayak, John Nayak and Isaac Behera.

"Of the 600 fake certificate allegations, 350 have been verified by the district administration and the remaining will be verified in another one to two months and action will be taken according to the government guidelines," Collector of Kandhamal Kishan Kumar said.

Meanwhile, BJD Lok Sabha member from Phulbani, Sugrib Singh, on whom probe has been ordered, refuted the claims. He called it false allegations that are "politically motivated". "I am a Hindu SC and I have not used any fake certificate," Singh said.

The UPA govt. is on an opinion that, before it withdraws the security forces from the state that was dispatched to ensure protection to Christians, it should address the religious, reservation and land issues in the district.