Andhra assembly adopts resolution seeking SC status for Dalit Christians

In a very prudent move, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Tuesday adopted a resolution that strongly solicits the Centre to cede SC status to Christians from Dalit community.

Although the gesture drew flak from certain quarters, it was greatly bolstered up by leader of the Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu and Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party.

The resolution – introduced in the Assembly by Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy – urges the Central Government to act candidly in the case of Dalit Christians whose constitutionally guaranteed protection and privileges were detached by a 1950 order.

"This Houses resolves to request the Centre to amend the Constitution for extending SC status to Dalit Christians so that they can enjoy the same equal political rights and socio-economic and educational benefits as all other SCs," the resolution states.

The chief minister apprised the Assembly that injustice was meted out to Dalits who embraced Christianity and said they can continue to enjoy the reservation in education and jobs if the Government grants them SC status. The CM also included the case of Dalit Muslims.

Apart from Telugu Desam and Praja Rajyam, other parties who supported the resolution include Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), CPI and CPI (M). Naidu and Chiranjeevi both welcomed the resolution and said it was promised in their election manifesto.

Perceivably, the BJP and Lok Satta opposed the resolution and asked the Assembly to backtrack from its stance.

Criticizing the resolution, BJP leader G Kishan Reddy said the move would increase conversion activities across the state. He alleged that Christian missionaries would boldly lure the tribal and gullible people into converting their religion.

Joining him, Lok Satta Chief Jayaprakash Narayan said the resolution would jeopardize the rights of Dalits as the 15 percent reservation will be shared between SCs and Dalit Christians.

Meanwhile, Father Anthoni Raj Thumma, executive secretary of the AP Federation of Churches, welcomed the resolution and said it was high time that the Constitutional Order of 1950 be amended to include Christians.

In fact it has been a long pending plea of Christians across the country who have been perseveringly writing petitions and submitting memorandums demanding SC status.

Such intense lobbying work had earlier this month rendered a glimmer of hope when the government admitted that injustice was done and an affirmative action was needed in the case of Dalit Christians and Muslims.

The Minister for Minority Affairs Salman Khurshid cited the reports of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) during the Rajya Sabha session on August 3 and conceded "NCM recommended the SC/ST status to converts to Christianity."

There are about 20 million Dalit Christians fighting against the deprival of their rights faced on grounds of religion. According to the 1950 order, SC privileges are to be received only by those who profess Hinduism. It however was later included Sikhs and Buddhists but not Christians.