New Delhi: The All-India United Christians Movement for Equal Rights (AIUCMER) has strongly criticized the exclusion of Scheduled Caste (SC) Christians from reservation benefits, calling it both unconstitutional and communal. During a press conference at Press Club of India here today, AIUCMER representatives called for the deletion or amendment of Para 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which denies SC status to Christians on the basis of religion.
Jose Daniel, President of AIUCMER, emphasized, “The purpose of reservations for SCs was to address the historical social and economic inequalities they faced. Excluding Christian SCs based on their religion is unconstitutional and a grave injustice. We urge the government and judiciary to remove or amend this discriminatory Para 3 to ensure equal rights for all SCs.”
The movement highlighted that SC individuals, regardless of religious conversion, continue to face social discrimination and untouchability. Multiple reports, including those from the Mandal Commission, Minority Commission, High-Level Committee on Scheduled Castes and Tribes, and the Ranganath Misra Commission, have recognized the ongoing social exploitation of SC Christians. Even the Supreme Court, in its ruling on the Mandal Commission case, acknowledged that SC individuals face similar challenges irrespective of religious conversion.
Daniel further noted that SC Christians have long demanded the removal or amendment of Para 3 to grant them reservation benefits. However, the recent mandate given to the Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Commission suggests potential changes to the SC list, which AIUCMER opposes. The group believes the real issue is the end of discrimination based on religion.
In the ongoing Supreme Court case, AIUCMER has advocated for the inclusion of SC Christians in the reservation policy. The issue has gained support from the Christian community as well as various political parties and social organizations, but continues to be suppressed due to misinterpretation of facts.
Advocate Anastasia Gill, former member of Delhi Minorities Commission, said, “SC status for Dalit Christians and Muslims must be detached from religion. When SC status is already granted to Sikhs and Buddhists, why are Muslims and Christians denied this provision? This reflects the mindset of those unwilling to acknowledge the social realities faced by these communities, who are denied their fundamental right to equality. It is discriminatory to continue excluding them based on their faith, which is perceived as foreign.”
Gill also pointed to the Ranganath Commission’s confirmation of the discrimination faced by Dalit Muslims and Christians. “Nearly two years have passed since the establishment of the Balakrishnan Commission, but it seems to be delaying rather than addressing the issue. This sends a troubling message that both the judiciary and the Union Government lack the will to tackle this serious matter,” she added.
