Politics
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Kerala CM promises to study Dalit Christian reservation
The Indian Express··2 Sept
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said his government would study Dalit Christians' demand for reservation at Ayyankali's 163rd birth anniversary on Friday. BJP SC Morcha state president Shajumon Vattekkad demanded he withdraw the remarks. Vattekkad said extending Scheduled Caste quota to Dalit Christians would take away reservation meant for SCs. Hindu Aikya Vedi also opposed the move.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Satheesan said Dalit Christians were denied benefits available to Christians and Scheduled Castes.
- BJP vice-president K S Radhakrishnan argued conversion removed caste identity in a Facebook post.
- Vattekkad said the BJP SC Morcha would mobilise the SC community against the government.
What's Happening
- Satheesan's statement drew a sharp response from the BJP's SC Morcha.
- Vattekkad accused the chief minister of playing the politics of appeasement.
- The issue comes amid BJP efforts to woo Kerala's Christian voters.
What The Constitution Order Says
- The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 restricts SC status to Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities.
- Dalit Christians are largely descendants of marginalised Hindu communities that converted.
- Sections of the Christian community and Catholic Church in Kerala have long sought SC status.
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