Karnataka: Political leaders and dalits against recognition of Christians among disadvantaged caste

During a public consultation, BJP and civil society representatives spoke out against granting Christian dalits disadvantaged class status, reiterating discriminatory prejudices and clichés. The opinions were collected by a special Commission of Inquiry led by the former Chief Justice.

Bangalore (AsiaNews) - Several politicians and dalit representatives from the southern Indian state of Karnataka have come out against the possibility of considering Christians part of the socially disadvantaged, so-called “scheduled castes,” who in India are entitled to a range of facilities in education and public sector jobs. 

Comments on this issue were made yesterday during the first public consultation of the Commission headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice K. G. Balakrishnan. The Commission of Inquiry was established in October 2022 to determine whether dalits (also once called “untouchables” or “outcastes”) who convert to a religion other than Sikhism or Buddhism can be granted “scheduled caste” status. 

For years, organizations defending the rights of Christian (and Muslim) Dalits have claimed that they are subject to prejudice and discrimination. While since 2004 the Supreme Court has found itself unable to redress petitions in this regard due to a legislative vacuum.

Yesterday's public hearing was attended by about 100 people, of whom nearly 95 percent voted against granting recognized caste status to Christians as well

The leader of the nomadic Banjara community, Peetha Seer Sardar Sevalal Swami, supported the idea that the commission should not favor those who have converted to religions born outside India and “that are not rooted in Indian culture.” 

Similarly, some members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, the ruling party at the national level and in opposition within the Congress-led Karnataka Legislative Assembly) have once again accused Christians of duping Dalits with conversions.

“This is a broader conspiracy by Christians and Muslims to usurp the quotas reserved for the recognized castes,” said politician Cement Manju, MP for Sakleshpur constituency, a constituency reserved for those belonging to the disadvantaged classes.

Other personalities continued in the same vein, reiterating prejudices against non-Hindu minorities. Eeranna Mori, of the Safai Karmachari Association (which cares for those who work collecting garbage, an occupation traditionally reserved for Dalits) commented, saying that Christians secure a double benefit, as they also receive support from the church “to finance their children's education or health care 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 breaking up families should not be given the status of a recognized caste.”

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

At the end of the discussion, Judge Balakrishnan asked the participants to submit their interventions and arguments in written form.