CityLightBuzz: New Delhi. Jantar Mantar witnessed a major protest by Dalit Christians demanding the extension of Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians and the repeal or amendment of provisions of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950.The protest was organised under the banner of the Telangana Christian Joint Action Committee, with a large number of Dalit Christians, community leaders and representatives participating in the demonstration.
The protesters demanded that the Union Government introduce a bill in Parliament to extend SC status to Dalit Christians and provide them with the same constitutional safeguards and reservation benefits available to other Scheduled Caste communities.BRS Parliamentary Deputy Leader Vaddiraju Ravichandra expressed solidarity with the protesters. BRS General Secretary R.S. Praveen Kumar, former Telangana Foods Corporation Chairman Rajiv Sagar, and Prof. Gali Vinod Kumar also addressed the gathering.Vaddiraju Ravichandra Expresses BRS SupportAddressing the protest, Vaddiraju Ravichandra demanded that the 1950 Presidential Order be amended and SC status be
extended to Dalit Christians.He said that, following the directions of BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao, a report had been submitted to the Justice Balakrishnan Commission. He also recalled that during KCR’s tenure as Chief Minister, the Telangana Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution seeking SC status for Dalit Christians and sent it to the Union Government.
Ravichandra said that the absence of SC status was resulting in difficulties for Dalit Christians in accessing reservation benefits in education and employment. He assured the gathering that the BRS would continue to support the demand for SC status for Dalit Christians.
“Changing Religion Does Not End Discrimination” — R.S. Praveen Kumar
BRS General Secretary R.S. Praveen Kumar said that conversion to another religion does not automatically eliminate the social discrimination faced by Dalits.
Referring to historical incidents including Karamchedu and Chunduru, he argued that caste-based discrimination can continue even after conversion.
Praveen Kumar questioned the continued exclusion of Dalit Christians from SC reservation benefits and said that constitutional guarantees of equality and religious freedom should be considered while addressing the issue.
He referred to constitutional provisions concerning equality, non-discrimination and freedom of religion and questioned the rationale behind linking SC status to religious identity.Rajiv Sagar Demands Bill During Parliament Session
Former Telangana Foods Corporation Chairman Rajiv Sagar demanded that the Union Government introduce a bill granting SC status to Dalit Christians during the
ongoing Parliament session.
He said that August 10, 1950, the date on which the Presidential Order was issued, is observed by sections of the Dalit Christian community as a “Black Day” to highlight their long-standing demand.
Rajiv Sagar argued that changing religion does not necessarily change a person’s caste or the social discrimination associated with it. He maintained that denying reservation benefits to Dalit Christians could further affect their educational, economic and social advancement.
He also referred to the Sachar Committee and Ranganath Misra Commission, stating that their reports had examined the socio-economic conditions and discrimination faced by religious minorities and Dalit communities.
Prof. Gali Vinod Kumar Calls for Continued Movement
Prof. Gali Vinod Kumar demanded that the Union Government introduce legislation to extend SC status to Dalit Christians during the current Parliament session.
He said the movement would continue until the community’s demand was addressed and argued that excluding Dalits who converted to Christianity or Islam from SC reservation benefits amounted to discrimination based on religion.
Community Leaders Participate
The protest was attended by Christian Seva Samithi President Gaddam Salmon Raju, All India Dalit Christ Rights Samithi President Sangati Manohar, Dalit Christian Forum representative Chinna Joseph, Ravulapati Moses, Manikyal Elia, and All India Muslim Reservation Porata Samithi leader Dr. Islamuddin, along with several Christian community leaders and members.
The protesters reiterated their demand for equal constitutional safeguards and called upon the Union Government to take a decision on extending SC status to Dalit Christians.
The demand remains part of a long-running national debate over whether Scheduled Caste status should continue to be linked to religious identity. Recent developments have included legal proceedings and protests concerning permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar, while August 10 continues to be observed by Dalit Christian groups as a day to highlight the issue.
