SC status to dalit converts: Congman writes to PM, Sonia
Express News Service Posted online: Wed Apr 06 2011, 02:14 hrs
Ahmedabad : Says converts should not be allowed benefits extended to
dalits, can be given separate quota
Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson Jayantilal
Parmar has opposed the Congress-led UPA government's move to grant
Scheduled Caste status to dalits who have converted to Islam and
Christianity.
In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia
Gandhi and Dalit ministers in the UPA government, Parmar said that the
move will damage to the political prospects of the party.
He said dalits were accorded the status of SCs and given reservation
in government appointments and quota in Parliament and assemblies
because of the untouchability prevailing in Hindu society. But once a
dalit converted to Islam or Christianity, he/she no longer remained
untouchable. The convert was not only treated socially at par with
others in his new community, but even Hindus did not regard him or her
as untouchable, Parmar said.
"So, there is no reason for the convert to be treated as dalit and
given SC status which carried with it the benefits of reservations in
jobs, admissions in professional courses and quotas in state
assemblies and Parliament," the letter said.
He added that he did not want the dalit converts to share from the 15
per cent quota available for dalits. "I have no objection if dalit
converts are given separate quota," he said.
The letter is believed to be the outcome of the reported assurance by
the Prime Minister on March 12 to a representation of Christian
leaders seeking SC status for dalit converts to Christianity and
Islam. The Christian representatives had argued that if dalit converts
to Buddhism can be granted SC status, then why not the same facilities
be extended to converts to Christianity and Islam.
Parmar said a Mumbai-based NGO, Christian Secular Forum, after the
meeting with PM, had claimed that the PM had promised to look into the
issue.
A case is pending on the issue in the Supreme Court, Parmar said.
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