Supreme Court requests Gov't final view on Dalit Christians' Quota

The Supreme Court hearing which happened on July 19th, for the Reservation for Dalit Christians, once again rendered fruitless results. Instead of giving a final verdict, the Supreme Court has ordered the Central Government to take a decision within 8 weeks time on recommendations of R N Misra Committee.

The decisions would be on whether the Scheduled Caste origins who are converted to other religions including Christians should be given the Scheduled Caste status as given to other Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist Scheduled caste members.

A bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justices R V Raveendran and Dalveer Bhandari issued the directions, and attended to two petitions demanding status for Dalit and Converted Christians.

Although the Constitution Scheduled Castes Order, 1950 provides the status of scheduled caste benefits of actions 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 in the schedules caste list, while there was no inclusion of the Christian Dalits.

Senior advocate Shanti Bhushan argued on the partial invidious treatment and said there was no need for any other view and the Government could take a decision as the Misra Commission had recommended SC status to Dalit Christians.

Additional Solicitor–General Gopal Subramaniam informed the court that the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, headed by former Supreme Court judge Rangnath Mishra has submitted clear reports and is awaiting closer examination. However the bench recommended the Government decision on the Dalit issue.

Dalit Christians hope that the outcome of the NCSC views and recommendations would be favorable to them.