Political leaders and Dalits against recognition of Christians among underprivileged castes

During a public consultation, representatives of the BJP and civil society expressed their opposition to granting Christian Dalits the status of a disadvantaged class, reiterating prejudices and discriminatory stereotypes. The views were collected by a special inquiry commission headed by the former Chief Justice.

Bangalore () – Several politicians and Dalit representatives in the state of Karnataka, in southern India, have spoken out against considering Christians part of the so-called “disadvantaged castes”, who in India have the right to a series of facilities in education and public sector jobs.

The comments were made yesterday during the first public inquiry of the Commission chaired by former Chief Justice of India Justice KG Balakrishnan. The Commission of Inquiry was set up in October 2022 to determine whether Dalits (formerly also called “untouchables” or “pariahs”) who converted to a religion other than Sikhism or Buddhism can be granted “scheduled caste” status.

For years, organisations defending the rights of Christian (and Muslim) Dalits have complained that they are subject to prejudice and discrimination. However, since 2004, the Supreme Court has been unable to hear such requests due to a legislative vacuum.

Yesterday’s public hearing was attended by a hundred people, almost 95% of whom voted against granting caste status to Christians as well.

The leader of the Banjara nomadic community, Peetha Seer Sardar Sevalal Swami, supported the idea that the Commission should not favour converts to religions born outside India and “which have no roots in Indian culture”.

Similarly, some MPs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, the ruling party at national level and in opposition in the Congress-led Karnataka Legislative Assembly) again accused Christians of misleading Dalits with conversions. “This is a broader conspiracy by Christians and Muslims to usurp the quotas reserved for the Scheduled Castes,” said politician Cement Manju, MP from the Sakleshpur constituency, which is reserved for those belonging to the underprivileged classes.

Other figures continued in the same vein, reiterating prejudices against non-Hindu minorities. Eeranna Mori of the Safai Karmachari Association (which deals with those who work as garbage collectors, a job traditionally reserved for Dalits) commented that Christians are assured of a double benefit, since they also receive aid from the Church “to finance their children’s education or for health expenses.” “Because of these conversions,” he insisted, “family ties are destroyed. For example, one brother becomes a Christian and another remains a Hindu. The Christian brother immediately breaks off relations. Therefore, religions responsible for the break-up of families should not have the status of scheduled castes.”

In contrast, Dalit writer and activist Cynthia Stephen supported the stance of granting quotas to Christians, stating that Dalits are still considered “untouchable” even after conversion, while the Dalit Christian Federation stressed that religion is not a valid criterion for granting or denying status.

At the end of the debate, Justice Balakrishnan asked the participants to submit their interventions and arguments in writing.