Demanding Scheduled Caste status, the Dalit Christians took out a rally and organised a meeting at Palayamkottai on Sunday.
After taking out a procession from Lourdunathan Statue at South Bazaar, the rallyists organised a meeting at Jawahar Ground, Palayamkottai.
Addressing among the rallyists, Union Minister of State for Revenue Jesudasu Seelam said the Dalit Christians, despite repeated appeals for the past several decades, were not given any welfare measures meant for the Scheduled Castes even as the “oppressed community” members, who embraced Sikhism and Buddhism, were enjoying all the privileges of the Central and the State Governments.
No consensus
Though a Bill on including Dalit Christians in the SC category was tabled in the Parliament twice, it could not be passed owing to lack of consensus.
“Hence, all political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, should support this Bill so that the Dalit Christians also can get the benefits of the Central and the State Governments,” Mr. Seelam said.
Resolution
The meeting held at Jawahar Grounds passed a resolution appealing to the Central Government to take all efforts to accord Scheduled Caste status to the Dalit Christians.
National president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India – SC / ST Affairs, Most Rev. Anthonisamy Neethinathan, secretary of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India – SC / ST Affairs, Rev. Fr. Albert Nelson, president of Indian Dalit Christians’ Welfare Movement R. Ramnath and others spoke.
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