Thousands of Christians rally for Scheduled Caste status

Thousands of Christians Wednesday demanded Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians as they took a rally in the capital shouting slogans and carrying placards.

Condemning the UPA government's continuous delay in including Christians and Muslims in the SC net, the ralliers called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (NCLRM).

The NCLRM report had urged the government to steer clear of discrimination by extending Scheduled Caste status to Christians and Muslims of Dalit origin. It had denounced the 'biased' para 3 of the 1950 Constitution Order that restricts economic, educational and social benefits to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.

Wednesday's rally, organised by the National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) and supported by various church groups, saw Christians from over ten states shouting for justice.

"This injustice against out Dalit brothers and sisters has been going on for six decades and more. Without justice, there is no peace. We are going to press on till we get peace and justice," said Archbishop of Delhi Vincent Concessao.

Sam Paul of All India Christian Council urged the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh to be evenhanded and speedily undo injustice meted out to the Christian community. "We have been demanding this for the last 10 years in various forums, rallies and campaigns," he said.

The rally, according to the All India Christian Council, was held to put pressure on the government that began its Monsoon session this week. Several bills are likely to be introduced during this Parliament session.

In a statement, Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India, said the government was 'grossly' discriminating against Dalit Christians and Muslims by denying their reservation guarantees enshrined in the Constitution.

"Repeated studies have shown that conversion does not remove the social stigma attached to the caste, rather it may enhance it. Therefore the reservation status must be extended to all Dalits irrespective of religion," he said.

Interestingly, there were two amendments to the 1950 Constitution Order first in 1956 and later in 1990. During the amendments, Sikhs and Buddhists were included in the SC category, thereby letting them avail the benefits of reservation.