Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: Thousands of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims organized a protest rally and a dharna at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 21st July, 2010 and demanded Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims.
Several representatives from Dalit groups and politicians including Sam Paul, National Secretary Public Affair of All India Christian Council, Ali Anwar, an MP and president of All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz and Hafiz Ahmad Hawari, president All India Jamiatul Hawwarin, among others addressed the peaceful rally.
They demanded amendment of the draconian Constitutional (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950, Para 3, which continues to deny SC status to Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians. The Para says “No person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of Schedule Caste”
A Dalit Muslim and a Dalit Christian hanging
The speakers in the rally highlighted the fact that this Para is completely illegal and unconstitutional as it discriminates on the basis of caste and religion for instance.
Franklin addressing the rally
Talking to TwoCircles.net, Franklin Caesar, the key organizer of the protest rally said, “We have hope in Government of India that they will honor Misra Commission Report and implement its recommendation that Para 3 of Article 341 is against the fundamental rights provided in Indian Constitution. The President Order 1950 has murdered the birth, fundamental and constitutional rights of Dalit; it must be de-linked from religion.”
The speakers also highlighted the fact that a writ petition No. 180/2004 praying for the deletion of the said Para 3 has been pending in the Supreme Court for the past 6 years and the Congress led UPA government has not responded to that query so far.
A Dalit representative from Kandhamal, Orissa addressing the rally
Most of the speakers asked questions to the UPA government at the center. Prominent of them are; “What justification can the government give to still retain the Constitution (Schedule Caste) Order 1950, Para 3 that is discriminatory on the basis of religion?” and “Why is the Union government not respecting the recommendations of Justice Ranganath Misra Commission whish was constituted by the same government, in spite of its several assurances to the apex court that it will abide by the Commissions recommendations?”.
Mr. Hafeez Ahmad Hawwari speaking at the rally
“We are citizens of India and we expect an equal treatment from the government and the Indian Constitution. Thereby its imperative for the Congress led UPA government to delete the discriminatory Constitutional Order 1950 Para 3 which is essentially unconstitutional”, said Mr. Hafeez Ahmad Hawari.
He also pointed out that dalit Muslims will always be with dalit Christians and they will fight together against this kind of injustice and gross violation of fundamental rights.
Dalit Muslim volunteers at the rally
Speaking at the rally Mr. Ali Anwar emphasized on the unity of Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in order to achieve the goal of Schedule Caste status for both.
Sam Paul pointed out that “UPA Government passed good bills such as Rural Employment Guarantee Bill and now considering 33% Women Reservation Bill. Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh must do justice to Dalit Christians whose rights have been suppressed for last 60 years. We have been demanding this for last 10 years in various forums, rallies and campaigns”
The rally was organized by National Council of Dalit Christians in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, the National Council of Churches in India, All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz and All India Jamiatul Hawareen.