Dalit Christian Leaders Urge Inclusion in SC for Equal Rights

Hyderabad: In an effort to address longstanding discrimination, several Christian organisations convened in Hyderabad to advocate for the inclusion of Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Castes (SC) category.

The All India United Christians Movement for Equal Rights (AIUCMER), in collaboration with the Telangana United Christians and Pastors Association (TUCPA), National Dalit Christian Watch (NDCW), and other supporting bodies, called upon the Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Commission to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which currently excludes Dalit Christians from SC status.

The leaders highlighted that Paragraph 3 of the 1950 Order restricted the reservation benefits to individuals professing Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism, thereby excluding those who have converted to Christianity. This exclusion, they argued, perpetuated socio-economic disadvantages for Dalit Christians, who continue to face discrimination akin to their counterparts in other religions.

“Faith should not determine one’s access to constitutional rights,” stated Bro. Jos Daniel, President of AIUCMER. He stressed that religious conversion did not alleviate the socio-economic hardships faced by Dalit Christians. Echoing this sentiment, Goneh Solomon Raj, general secretary of TUCPA, added, “The government’s reluctance to amend Paragraph 3 has perpetuated inequality for Dalit Christians.”

The delegation discussed the past recommendations by various commissions, including the Mandal and Ranganath Misra Commissions, which advocated for SC status for Dalit Christians. Following a recent meeting with Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, AIUCMER reiterated their demand to amend or delete Paragraph 3 to address what they see as an unconstitutional denial of rights.