Justice for Dalits and control of Hindutva forces still undone: CPI–M

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders at a recent press conference accused the UPA Govt. for failing to control the communal violence caused by the Hindutva forces and for ignoring the needs of the minorities, including the SC status for Dalit Christians and Muslims.

"It is most unfortunate that the UPA Government, whose formation was made possible by secular forces, has been unable to confront the 'Hindutva' forces and on the contrary adopted a vacillating position," said CPIM General Secretary Prakash Karat.

This, he said, was "seen in the unwillingness to punish those guilty of complicity in communal rioting and carnage, to help the victims to access justice, rehabilitation and compensation and to punish the guilty."

Citing the recent anti–Christian violence in Gujarat, the Communist party head charged the Congress (ruling party) for failing to control or apprehend those involved in the riots.

On December 2007, last year, the BJP–RSS radicals instigated an attack on the Christian community, paralyzing and causing huge damages to the Christians. The outrage had ravaged 100 churches, torched 600 Christian homes and injured at least 5000 Christians.

Accusing the Sangh Parivar members for apparently dividing the society on communal lines, Karat demanded immediate passage of a CPI–M legislation, which promises to deal with communal violence and compensation and rehabilitation of the victims.

In addition, Karat also questioned the UPA government's efforts on minority welfare programs. He urged the Centre to take 'concrete steps' in empowering minority communities through education, employment, land reforms and land distribution.

The party also voiced its stand on the Dalit Christians and Muslims who are yet to be granted with the SC status.

"The government has failed to table the report of the Ranganath Commission on the question of granting scheduled caste to Dalit Christians and Muslims," alleged the party members.

Dalit is the term used in Western countries for the former "Untouchables" of India.

In the context of traditional Hindu society, Dalit status has often been historically associated with occupations regarded as ritually impure, such as any occupation involving killing, handling of animal cadavers or night soil (human feces).

Although the Constitution Scheduled Castes Order 1950 provides the status of scheduled caste benefits like reservations in education and government jobs, these benefits cannot be applied if a Hindu converts to any other religion.

Later the order was revised to include Dalit Sikhs and Buddhists while there was no inclusion of the Dalit Christians and Muslims.

Dismayed over the injustice caused by the Indian Government, various dharnas and demonstrations were carried and still being organized by the Churches and NGO's to seek equal rights and justice.