Karnataka Government Undecided on Reservation Benefits for Dalit Converts to Christianity and Islam
The Congress-ruled Karnataka government has not taken a stance on whether Dalit converts to Christianity or Islam should be included in reservation benefits provided to Scheduled Castes. The state remained uncommitted during a consultation with the Justice K G Balakrishnan Commission this week.
While states like Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have already extended Scheduled Caste reservation to Dalit converts, Karnataka currently provides reservation under the OBC category for Dalit Christians and Muslims. The debate continues within the state government about the potential inclusion of Dalit converts in the SC category.
Advocates for Dalit Christians argue that they face discrimination and harassment, especially from extremist Hindu organizations. They stress the need for inclusion in the SC reservation to ensure security and political representation.
With more than half of the Christian population in India and Karnataka being Dalits, the issue of reservation for Dalit converts remains a significant topic in the state. The Karnataka Dalit Christian Federation calls for recognition and support for their community.
Published on 05 September 2024, 00:31 IST
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