Cong member wants quota for Dalit Muslims, Dalit Christians

New Delhi:A Congress member today demanded reservation for Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians, taking umbrage to the Supreme Court’s reported decision that a person can be accorded SC status on his re-conversion to Hinduism if he is accepted by his fellow castemen.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Hussain Dalwai demanded amendments to the Constitution to provide reservation to Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians.

“On February 26, the Supreme Court held that a person can be accorded Scheduled Caste status on his reconversion to Hinduism if he is accepted by fellow caste men and proves that either he or his forefathers previously belonged to that caste before embracing another religion,” he said.

Noting that while the Supreme Court cannot be faulted for upholding the word of law, he said it is time to recognize that the caste system is no longer a religious problem, but a social one.

“Even if one has converted to another religion, the stigma associated with being a Dalit has hardly been eradicated. Thus a new section called Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians has emerged which shows that the caste system transcends religious boundaries.

“It is well documented fact that these sections of society are worse off than Dalits that belong to Hindu religion,” he said.

P L Puniya from the same party said that benefits of funds being granted for SC/ST are not reaching them adequately and urged the Centre to enact a law to ensure the same.

Source: Deccan Herald