Skip to main content

Why SC status 'denied' to Dalit Christians, Muslims, but given to Sikhs, Buddhists?

Counterview Desk 

The All India Catholic Union (AICU), making several demands to government to end “targeting” of minorities by state and non-state agencies, has regretted that scheduled caste (SC) status is being denied to to Muslims and Christians of Dalit origin, even though these are given to Sikhs and Buddhists.
In a statement, AICU said, “The past seven and a half years have seen a new narrative thrust upon us: the conflation of nationalism with religious identity that automatically alienates and isolates minorities. One Nation, One Culture, One People is now been vigorously implemented.”
AICU underlined, “Christian communities have seen a drastic increase of organised and systematic persecution against them with the intent of uprooting them.” It added, “Social ostracization in villages in several States, the attempted eradication of village churches and attacks on clergy are avowed aspects of an attempt towards annihilating them completely.”

Text:

As the nation approaches 75 years of its Independence from colonial rule, its religious and ethnic communities, its Dalits and women face a daunting challenge of safeguarding their human rights and civil liberties, enshrined in the Constitution and in United Nations treaties, from mal-governance and the onslaught of majoritarian non-state actors.
The systematic erosion of national institutions, including the office of governor, the bureaucracy, the police and the judicial system specially at the district and State levels, has compounded the crisis. Fake news, some of it state sponsored, falsification and misrepresentation of data including that of deaths in the Covid pandemic, the political exploitation of relief are an illustrative facet of the developments in recent years.
A more radical experiment is sought to be made in the sphere of education, seeking the entry of political elements in the management of schools in an audacious defiance of Article 30 of the Constitution.
Targeted hate that incites violence, lynch mobs, officially mandated change in the good habits of an entire population as in the case of the Maldives Islands, all of which particularly impact the Muslim community and the persecution of small rural Christian communities in several States have been registered by national and international rights institutions including Minority Commissions and UN bodies.
The AICU Working Committee noted the utter absence of the voice of the affected minority communities in decisions which critically impacted their rights. Major changes were made in several laws without real consultations with representatives of religious communities.
The complicity of police in targeted hate and violence, and the overall sense of impunity displayed by political groups and non-state actors and the use of enforcement agencies have combined o totally mute all voices of dissent, protest. Even plaintive cries for help, restitution and relief have gone unheard.
The past seven and a half years have seen a new narrative thrust upon us: the conflation of nationalism with religious identity that automatically alienates and isolates minorities. “One Nation, One Culture, One People” is now been vigorously implemented.
Christian communities have seen a drastic increase of organised and systematic persecution against them with the intent of uprooting them. Social ostracization in villages in several States, the attempted eradication of village churches and attacks on clergy are avowed aspects of an attempt towards annihilating them completely.
The rapid expansion in the number of stages that have anti-conversion laws, the near total constriction of international aid through Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) channels, two-child conceiving social assistance, and the denial of scheduled caste rights to Muslims and Christians of Dalit origin, though these are given to Sikhs and Buddhists from the same communities, are glaring examples.
There is near total emasculation institutions such as minority commissions. The National Commission for Minorities has made them defunct and redundant.
Such unconstitutional disharmony, promoted under various guises of patriotism, nationalism, religion and economic development, will have to be resisted and refuted collectively. Christians are very much a part of the vast body of citizens across the length and breadth of India who will not allow themselves to be marginalised, or intimidated.
AICU is deeply concerned at attempts to control minority schools, eroding of Article 30 of Constitution in defiance of Supreme Court rulings
The right to ‘Freedom of Religion” has been enshrined in the Constitution under Articles 25-28 by our founders. We have a common heritage, a collective history. More than would be apparent in our numbers, we have contributed much towards the social, educational and development the country. Our sons and brothers have achieved martyrdom in combat.
This meeting of the AICU working committee therefore endorses the demands of the Christian community, raised in Parliament, State assemblies, and in public demonstrations, rallies and meetings with the highest levels of the national political leadership. These are as follows:
  1. Christians of Dalit origin must be given the same right and protection of the law under the SC ST Act as s given to the Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh communities if social justice and equal rights have any meaning.
  2. We are deeply concerned at attempts to control minority schools, eroding of Article 30 of the Constitution in defiance of Supreme Court rulings. The latest such case is in Gujarat.
  3. The rescinding of Anti conversion laws which are now in the service of targeted hate persecution.
  4. Scholarship an issue across nation - without dividing minorities, scholarships and other concessions must be seen to be just
  5. In MNREGA and other rural schemes care must be taken to ensure there is no discrimination. Covid poverty amelioration schemes must not leave out minorities
  6. Hate speech, social media targeting of all minorities and specially us, must be checked
  7. All representative commissions including national and State human rights, minorities, women commissions be revived and vacancies filled up ensuring proper representation
  8. The meeting of the AICU WCM also called upon religious congregations and church leaders to work closely together to train youth for all competitive examinations. They must also set up mechanisms to closely monitor developments that impact religious minorities.

Comments

TRENDING

Wave of disappearances sparks human rights fears for activists in Delhi

By Harsh Thakor*  A philosophy student from Zakir Hussain College, Delhi University, and an activist associated with Nazariya magazine, Rudra, has been reported missing since the morning of July 19, 2025. This disappearance adds to a growing concern among human rights advocates regarding the escalating number of detentions and disappearances of activists in Delhi.

How community leaders overcome obstacles to protect forests and pastures in remote villages

By Bharat Dogra  Dheera Ram Kapaya grew up in such poverty that, unable to attend school himself, he would carry another boy’s heavy school bag for five kilometers just to get a scoop of daliya (porridge). When he was finally able to attend school, he had to leave after class five to join other adolescent workers. However, as soon as opportunities arose, he involved himself in community efforts—promoting forest protection, adult literacy, and other constructive initiatives. His hidden talent for writing emerged during this time, and he became known for the songs and street play scripts he created to promote forest conservation, discourage child marriages, and support other social reforms.

‘Act of war on agriculture’: Aruna Rodrigues slams GM crop expansion and regulatory apathy

By Rosamma Thomas*  Expressing appreciation to the Union Agriculture Minister for inviting suggestions from farmers and concerned citizens on the sharp decline in cotton crop productivity, Aruna Rodrigues—lead petitioner in the Supreme Court case ongoing since 2005 that seeks a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops—wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on July 14, 2025, stating that conflicts of interest have infiltrated India’s regulatory system like a spreading cancer, including within the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

The GMO illusion: Three decades of hype, harm, and false hope

By Sridhar Radhakrishnan  Three decades of hype, billions of dollars spent, and still no miracle crop. It's time to abandon the GMO biotech fairy tale and return to the soil, the seed, and the farmer. “Trust us,” they said. “GMOs will feed the world.” Picture a world where there is plenty of food, no hunger, fields grow without chemical pesticides, children are saved from malnutrition, and people live healthily.

Sandra Gonzalez Sanabria: An inspiring life from Colombia’s Amazonian valley

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  In the village of Héctor Ramírez, known as Agua Bonita, in La Montañita, Caquetá, Colombia, a vision of peace and renewal is unfolding. In the pre-2016 period, this would have been nearly impossible for outsiders to visit, as it was the epicenter of violent resistance against state oppression. However, after the Peace Accord was signed between the Colombian government and former revolutionaries—marking the end of a 70-year insurgency that claimed over 400,000 lives until 2025, including civilians, rebel fighters, and security personnel—things began to change. Visiting Agua Bonita during the Global Land Forum in Bogotá revealed a village of hope and resilience. Former FARC revolutionaries have settled here and transformed the village into a center of peace and aspiration.

Overriding India's constitutional sovereignty? Citizens urge PM to reject WHO IHR amendments

By A Representative   A group of concerned Indian citizens, including medical professionals and activists, has sent an urgent appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to reject proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) before the ratification deadline of July 19, 2025. 

Indigenous Karen activist calls for global solidarity amid continued struggles in Burma

By A Representative   At the International Festival for People’s Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Activists allege abduction and torture by Delhi Police Special Cell in missing person probe

By A Representative   A press statement released today by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) alleges that several student and social activists have been abducted, illegally detained, and subjected to torture by the Delhi Police Special Cell. The CASR claims these actions are linked to an investigation into the disappearance of Vallika Varshri, an editorial team member of 'Nazariya' magazine.

India’s zero-emission, eco-friendly energy strategies have a long way to go, despite impressive progress

By N.S. Venkataraman*   The recent report released by OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 has predicted that by the year 2050, crude oil would replace coal as India’s key energy source. Clearly, OPEC expects that India’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy will continue to remain high in one form or another.