MRPS founder flays SC order on Dalit converts, seeks SC status for them

Emphasising the need to recognise India’s continuing reality of caste discrimination, Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) founder-president Manda Krishna Madiga criticised the recent Supreme Court ruling that Dalits who convert to religions other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism lose their Scheduled Caste (SC) status.

He called for SC status to be extended to Dalit Christians on par with the recognition granted to Sikh and Buddhist Dalits, and expressed MRPS’ support for Dalit Christians if they choose to fight for their rights.

Addressing a press conference at the Press Club in Somajiguda here on Monday, he said the authorities and the judiciary must consider the fact that the preaching classes of both Christianity and Islam in India largely come from upper castes.

He alleged that upper castes such as Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kammas and Reddys who converted to other religions carried forward discriminatory caste practices even within religions that preach equality. “The Supreme Court judgment is completely against Articles 14, 15 and 25 of the Constitution. Because of various conspiracies, Dalits lost the benefits of the Communal Award and their rights to religious freedom. During the framing of the Constitution, upper castes represented Christians, which is why they did not speak for Dalit Christians’ rights,” he alleged.

When upper-caste Christians are eligible for EWS reservations, why should Dalit Christians not be eligible for SC reservations, he asked, claiming that B.R. Ambedkar had clarified that conversion to Christianity does not alter the social conditions of Dalits.