Dalit Christians Press For Inclusion In SC list
The protesters pointed out that in 1950, then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, issued an ordinance stating that individuals who adopt a religion other than Hinduism would not be granted Dalit status.
Kurnool: Dalit Christians staged a protest at the district collectorate in Kurnool on Tuesday, demanding Scheduled Caste status for their community. They alleged that Dalit Christians are being denied access to government benefits and welfare schemes. Pastors, sisters, and believers gathered at the Gandhi statue and raised slogans urging the government to grant Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians.
The protesters pointed out that in 1950, then President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, issued an ordinance stating that individuals who adopt a religion other than Hinduism would not be granted Dalit status. However, six years later, Sikhs were granted Scheduled Caste status, followed by Buddhists. They have been fighting for the same recognition for the past 75 years, but their demand has yet to be met. They urged the government to take up their demand and present it to the Centre for consideration. Pastor David Arulappa, organiser Bhaskar, and others participated in the protest.
