By Robancy A Helen
Chennai, April 20, 2023: Dalit Christian groups in Tamil Nadu have welcomed a resolution passed in the state legislative assembly to grant Scheduled Caste status for their people.
“We are very grateful to the chief minister for the resolution that was passed in the assembly as the matter is being heard in the Supreme Court. It is an inspiration for other states to follow,” says Father Lourdusamy, former secretary of the Office for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
Mathew Gnanapragasam, convener of the Tamil Nadu Dalit Christians Collation, too thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin for proposing to the federal government to grant Scheduled Caste status to his community..
It is indeed a big boost for social justice and a happy day for the Dalit Christians in Tamil Nadu and all who fight for justice for them, he added.
The Tamil Nadu state assembly on April 18 passed the resolution, introduced by Stalin, to grant the Scheduled Caste status to the Dalit Christians.
Moving the resolution, Stalin said the privileges being enjoyed by the Adi Dravidars should not be denied following their conversion to Christianity.
“They would be socially uplifted if reservation benefits are extended to them in education and employment. Denying them all the benefits merely because they have converted to another religion is not fair. This is our stand,” Stalin said.
He contended that people have a right to follow the religion of their choice but distinguishing them on the basis of caste is social evil.
“I propose in this Legislative Assembly that we need to heed a special attention to the Scheduled Castes who were converted to Christianity. Because they still experience caste discrimination such as untouchability,” Stalin said.
Many members in the assembly supported the proposal and demanded the removal of the Constitutional Order of 1950 issued under Article 341 of the Constitution that limited Scheduled Caste benefits only to Dalits belonging to Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh religions.
“It has been a 72-year-old struggle for the Dalit Christians in India to fight for their Constitutional rights. There have been continuous protests, rallies and campaigns all over the country demanding the SC status,” Gnanapragasam explained.
Although many federal commissions supported the Scheduled Caste Status to the Christians and Muslims of the Dalit origin, the federal government has rejected them.
The government recently set up a commission headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, giving it two years to prepare a report on granting SC status to “new persons who have historically belonged to the Scheduled Castes but have converted to religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism.”
The Tamil Nadu government has supported the cause.
Thirumavalavan, a Member of the Lok Sabha and president of Viduthalai Siruthaikal Katchi (VCK, Liberation Panther Party), supported the cause and raised the matter in the parliament.
Historically speaking it would be relevant to grant SC Status to the Concerted Christians of the Scheduled Castes as it was for the Sikhs and the Buddhists added the head of the State.
Stalin also announced in the assembly that the government would build a centenary memorial for L Ilaya Perumal, a social activist and former president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, at Chidambaram in Cuddalore district.
Perumal, the chief minister said, had spent his entire life relentlessly fighting for the abolition of untouchability.
The Tamil Nadu state government’s positive move will help the Balakrishnan’s commission to defend the Scheduled Caste Status to the Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims, he added.
It is betrayal of the existing Dalit community in hindu fold. There will be more competition to reserved jobs for Dalits from other religions joining the fray for reserved jobs earmarked for Dalit Hindus. It is blatant violation of constitution and stabbing the back of Dalit Hindus
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru. M K Stalin is blessed with a constructive vision for nation-building.
It is an historical day for the Dalit Christians of Tamil Nadu. They have been humiliated and annihilated for millennia and this State legislation uplifts them indeed.
It is now over to the Church leaders to come out of their prejudices and introduce pro-active measures to uplift the Dalit Christians.
There are many Dalit Priests and Nuns just like the dalit lay faithful are trained, gifted and qualified, they are to be given leadership role in the church and opportunity to work and prove their metal in every field.
The Caste hierarchy within the Catholic church needs to learn from the proactive TN govt.
Congratulations to many dedicated individuals and groups who worked tirelessly through lobby and advocacy in getting this legislation passed.
It is a wake up call for the TN Catholic church!