By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Member from Bihar Dr Ejaz Ali on December 2 raised the issue of inclusion of Dalit Muslims in the category of Scheduled Castes while demanding amendment in the Constitution to ensure the same.
Dr Ejaz Ali demanded amendment in the Constitutional Order of 1950 so that restriction on inclusion of Dalit Muslims in SC category could be removed. The order has been amended twice to extend SC status to Sikh Dalits and Buddhist Dalits.
Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Parliament, Dr Ejaz Ali said: The reservation for Scheduled Castes was started in 1936 and at that time, this reservation was provided for Dalits from all the religions. But in 1950, when the Constitution was enforced in the country, this reservation was given to only Dalit Hindus by imposing religious restriction under Section 341 of the Constitution.
“We want to know from the Union Government what is the reason that even today that religious restriction is still applicable on reservation of Scheduled Castes whereas the relevant Para III was removed from President’s Ordinance, 1950 by the Drafting Committee. So, I demand to amend the Constitution and take other necessary steps to include Dalit Muslims in the reservation category of Scheduled Castes,” Dr Ali said.
Dr Ali got support to his demand from Samajwadi Party Members Jaya Bachchan, Virendra Bhatia, and Brij Bhushan Tiwari.