Title: Need to extend reservation benefits to Dalit Christians-Laid.
(TIRUPPATTUR) : In our country the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lived as an oppressed class down the ages. It is only after our country won freedom that they could get Constitutionally guaranteed reservation in educational institution and job opportunities as part of social justice. But people of the same castes if they embrace Christianity are denied these rights. Dalits who lived as the downtrodden for thousands of years do not become upper class or socially and educationally forward the moment they become Dalit Christains. They are still looked down upon in society. As witnessed in some parts of the country untouchability and caste-discrimination hit hard the Dalits more particularly the Dalit Christians. Hence, all the Dalits irrespective of their religion must be ensured of Constitutionally guaranteed rights and human rights.
In Tamil Nadu as early as in 1974, Government enlisted the Dalit Christians also in the Backward Class list.
Hence, I request the Union Government to take steps to suitably amend the Constitution to ensure an equitable social justice to all the Dalits without discrimination on communal lines.