Letter Campaign for Dalit Christian Reservation

Letter Campaign for Dalit Christian Reservation

June 27, 2006

Dear Dalit Bahujan Leaders,

This is special request to kindly help Dalits of other faith different than Hindu Dalits, Sikh Dalits and Buddhist Dalits.

The Supreme Court of India, once it convenes in July 2006 after its summer vacations, is expected to take up hearings on the writ petition seeking full SC rights for all Dalits irrespective of religion.

The government has asked the National Commission on Religious and Linguistic Minorities, otherwise called the Justice Rangnath Misra Commission, to look into the demand and give its opinion. This opinion will be presented before the Supreme Court

The Misra Commission has asked the Tata Consultancy to organize seminars on the subject. It has also asked the public to give its suggestions in the next few weeks. Earlier it held public meeting sin many cities in various parts of the countries.

Major Christian groups have already given one round of testimony. Apparently that has not satisfied someone in the Commission.

This is perhaps because the RSS and its more than 100 daughter organisations have launched a massive counter campaign against Christians in general and Christians of Dalit origin in particular and are flooding the offices of the Misra Commission with their poisonous hate mail.

This is to request you, therefore, to kindly send your letters and documents to the Justice Misra Commission in support of the demand of Christians of Dalit origin, to get this marginalized group its fundamental rights so brutally snatched from it by the Presidential Order 1950.

The postal address is "Member Secretary, NCRLM, Gate 30, II Floor,Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium New Delhi 110003. The Email Id of member secretary is das_asha@yahoo.com

The Chairman's postal address is 31, Aurangazeb Road New Delhi 110001. The Commission's Email Id is: ncrlm2005@rediffmail.com.

Support us in our campaign for Christians of Dalit origin by sending email to the commission.Sample letter is printed on back of this letter. Kindly print it in your official letter head and send to the address given as your earliest. Thank you
Yours sincerely,



Rev. M. Madhu Chandra
Regional Secretary

__________________________________________________________

Please Use your Organisation/church letter head
Sample letter to Justice Shri Ranganath Misra Commission

Date:

Justice Shri Ranganath Misra
Chairman
National Commission for Religious & Linguistic Minorities
Gate No 30, II Floor, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Lodi Road, New Delhi – 110 003

Sir,

Subject: Extension of Reservations to Dalit Christians.

We are glad that the Commission headed by you has been requested to examine the justification for specification of Dalit Christians as Scheduled Castes for the purpose of reservation. Kindly permit us to submit the following for your kind consideration.

In spite of various efforts made by the governments, caste discrimination and untouchability remain a major social concern specific to Indian Society.

Although they are Christians, the Christians of Scheduled Castes Origin live and work along with Hindu Dalits. The stigma of untouchability and social ostracism haunt them wherever they go and whatever they do.

Just because of being Christians, they are not spared from communal violence and abuse by upper and dominant caste communities. Nor are they treated equally by the upper caste Christians.

That they continue to suffer from the same socio economic disabilities and that the change of religion does not alter their socio-economic status have been established by various commissions appointed by the governments from time to time and also by the many rulings by the Supreme Court.

Moreover the discrimination against Dalit Christians based on the third para of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order 1950 goes against many articles of the Constitution of India. It is discrimination on the basis of religion and it is sad to note that the violation is done by the State itself (Article 15)

It also goes against Freedom of Religion (Article 25). The Order forces the Dalits to remain in a particular religion, allured by the socio economic privileges and fear of losing the same if they dare to choose a religion of their choice.

The Dalit Christians, though they are Dalits, are deprived and denied of civil and legal safeguards and protection that are provided for Hindu Dalits under the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1976, Untouchability (Offences) Act 1955 and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. Thus they stand vulnerable to the abuses and attacks of the dominant castes, without any possibility of legal redressal as Dalits.

Besides, the Government has already amended the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order) 1950 twice: First in 1956 to include Dalit Sikhs and next in 1990 to include Dalit Buddhists in the Scheduled Castes.

The Government has already considered the demand of the Dalit Christians and prepared the draft amendment bill in 1996. The Statement of Objects and Reasons of Bill NO17 of 1996 says: "Converts to the Christian religion, who are of the Scheduled Castes origin, are precluded from the statutory benefits and safeguards accruing to members of the Scheduled Castes. Demands have been made from time to time for extending these benefits and safeguards to the Christians of the Scheduled Castes origin by granting them recognition as the Scheduled Castes on the ground that the change of religion has not altered their social and economic conditions. Upon due consideration of these demands, it is proposed to amend the relevant Constitution (Scheduled Cates) Orders to include the Christian converts from the Scheduled Castes as the Scheduled Castes therein, hence the Bill."

It is clear from the above statement that the government is asserting that the 'change of religion has not altered social and economic conditions' and that it has 'duly considered the demand and proposed to amend the Order' and the statement holds good even now when caste violence is so open and the number is on the increase. Hence we request you to kindly recommend to the Government to include the Christians of Scheduled Caste Origin in the Scheduled Castes and provide them the same status as their counterparts in Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Name, Address and phone number

Congress committed to OBC quota, says APCC chief

Congress committed to OBC quota, says APCC chief
Special Correspondent

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061914820400.htm

Says stir on the issue in northern States reflects degeneration in politics

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Keshava Rao has said that the recent anti-reservation stir in northern States reflects the degeneration in politics as the agitation targeted a Constitutional amendment by Parliament.

"How credible is such politics of upper castes?" he asked at a meeting organised by State BC Welfare Association here on Sunday.

Mr. Keshava Rao said that those opposing reservations expressed their anger in a manner that everything was over for the country by the 27 per cent quota for OBCs.

They made a hollow claim that merit was a casualty in the process. Merit could be judged only after students underwent courses. They should be evaluated on an even keel to know their worth, he said, adding that merit had no meaning before students joined a course.

The APCC chief maintained that Congress was committed to implementing the quota for OBCs.
The Government could increase seats for other castes to make up for their shortage owing to the implementation of the quota but the rule of reservation should be followed for the hiked seats as well.

BJP Secretary B. Dattatreya said that BCs could not expect justice unless they got political reservations. Association president R. Krishnaiah also spoke.

Majority of Indians want quota

Majority of Indians want quota

CNN-IBN

CLASS APART: People believe quotas create equal opportunity in education.

New Delhi: The anti-quota protests dominated news headlines for weeks, but were they the representative of the real mood of the nation? A CNN-IBN and The Indian Express survey conducted by A C Nielsen on the issue has come up with some startling facts. nielsen The findings of the survey show that majority of Indians support reservations and feel that quotas in higher education will lead to equal opportunities.

According to the survey, 57 per cent Indians favour the Government's decision on 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in higher education. Only 37 per cent feel otherwise.

Majority of the respondents feel that reservations in higher education are a key to social justice. As many as 63 per cent of the respondents said that reservations in higher education will lead to equal opportunity as against 34 per cent who felt that it will lead to loss of quality.

The survey was done among 776 people in five metros in both rural and urban areas.

The sample for the survey was unique. It had 40 per cent OBCs, 25 per cent SC and ST; 10 per cent Muslims and 25 per cent from general category, a representation of the Indian population.
But there are many surprises as well. While supporting the reservations, the respondents were dismissive of the present system of quota. As many as 57 per cent of the respondents want a changed and improved reservation system for the SC/STs, while 26 per cent want no change.

But, 15 per cent of the respondents want reservations to be scrapped. But the real surprise—53 per cent OBCs want improved reservation policy while for SC/ST the number stands at 61 per cent.

Majority of the respondents want economics to be the main criterion for reservation. 67 per cent of the respondents support the view that poor of all castes should get reservation benefits, while 25 per cent supported reservations for backward castes only.

For all those politicians trying electoral politics in supporting or opposing the reservations, the survey has bad news.

The Government’s decision will not shift the voting pattern. 84 per cent respondents said no to any change in their voting, while only 12 per cent felt otherwise. But, among those who will be shifting, the UPA will be the major gainer with 52 per cent, with NDA second with 31 per cent.
With greater awareness this time, reservations have truly become a national issue with 79 per cent respondents aware of the controversy. And 61 per cent of the respondents were aware of the Government's decision in this regard.

A surprise of the survey: 52 per cent of the respondents had never heard about the Mandal Commission.

Upper castes dominate national media, says survey in Delhi

Upper castes dominate national media, says survey in Delhi

http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/05/stories/2006060504981400.htm

"No Dalit or Adivasi among top 300 journalists"

# Hindu upper caste men hold 71 per cent of top jobs
# Muslims account for only three per cent among key decision-makers


New Delhi: In the first-ever statistical analysis of its kind, a survey of the social profile of more than 300 senior journalists in 37 Hindi and English newspapers and television channels in the capital has found that "Hindu upper caste men" -- who form eight per cent of the country's population -- hold 71 per cent of the top jobs in the national media.

Women, non-upper castes, and Muslims are grossly under-represented in relation to their share in the population.

The survey notes that Dalits and Adivasis "are conspicuous by their absence among the decision-makers. Not even one of the 315 key decision-makers belonged to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes."

The survey was designed and executed by Anil Chamaria, freelance journalist, Jitendra Kumar from the Media Study Group and Yogendra Yadav, senior fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS).

If men and women are taken together, the share of upper caste Hindus or `dwijas' in the upper echelons of the media is 85 per cent. These castes account for 16 per cent of the national population.

Brahmins alone, the survey found, hold 49 per cent of the top jobs in national journalism. If non-`dwija' forward castes like Marathas, Patels, Jats and Reddys are added, the total forward caste share stands at 88 per cent.

In contrast, OBCs, who are estimated to constitute around 40 per cent of the population, account for an "abysmally low" four per cent of top media jobs. In the English print media, OBCs account for just one per cent of top jobs and in the Hindi print media eight per cent. Muslims too, the survey noted, are "severely under-represented in the national media": they account for only three per cent among the key decision makers in the national media, compared with 13.4 per cent in the country's population.

Muslims do better in the Hindi electronic media, forming six per cent of key decision-makers. In the English electronic media, the survey found there were no Muslims at the senior-most levels in Delhi. Christians, however, are proportionately represented in the media (mainly in the English media). Their share is about four per cent compared with their population share of 2.3 per cent.

Doubly disadvantaged sections of the population, such as women Other Backward Classes or backward caste Muslims and Christians, are nearly absent among the key decision-makers. The survey, for example, found that there was not a single OBC woman among the 315 journalists enumerated. Gender balance

When it comes to gender balance, the English electronic media does best, with women accounting for 32 per cent of the top jobs. Women account for 16 per cent of top editorial positions in the English print media and 14 per cent and 11 per cent in the Hindi print media and electronic media. Explaining the survey methodology, Yogendra Yadav said details of designation, age, religion, caste, gender, mother tongue, and domicile of up to a maximum of 10 key decision-makers from 37 `national' media organisations were collected on a standard pro-forma between May 30 and June 3, 2006. In most cases, the data were generated by journalists from within each newspaper or television channel being surveyed. But he cautioned that the data might still contain some errors.

JNU Students Union supports reservation

JNU Students Union supports reservation

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Even as the relay hunger strike against the Central Government's decision to bring in reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in higher education continued at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here, the JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) has given a call to all pro-reservation groups to form a human chain at India Gate on Saturday in support of the reservation.

The JNUSU said it supported 27 per cent reservation for OBCs along with 54 per cent increase in the number of seats. It also called for an increased allocation for higher education.

Professors' support

Some professors of JNU as well as other institutions expressed their solidarity with the students who are on hunger strike.

A group of students from the Delhi University had alsogone to JNU on Thursday evening to support the cause of the students on strike.

A group of the JNU chapter of Youth for Equality (YFE) also visited slums along with some doctors to spread awareness about the reservation issue.

At the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the students, who had called off their strike on Wednesday night, met todiscuss ways to carry forward their agitation.

Tamil Nadu now clears 69 percent reservation for backwards in private educational institutions

Tamil Nadu now clears 69 percent reservation for backwards in private educational institutions

Chennai: The stand-off between the Central Government and the medical community across the country over the reservation of seats for other backward classes may have whimpered out after 19 days, but this has not stopped the Tamil Nadu State Assembly from passing a Bill that now also grants 69 per cent reservation for weaker sections and backward classes in all private educational institutions andother establishments run by minorities.

A State Government notification said on Wednesday that the Bill's approval was done after "careful consideration of the population in the respective categories and the present stage of their advancement in education."

According to its provisions, backward classes will have 30 per cent reservation; most backward classes and denotified communities 20 per cent; Scheduled Castes 18 per cent and Scheduled Tribes one per cent.

Higher Education Minister K.Ponmudi said this decision had to be taken sooner than later.

The four South Indian States -- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as well as in Maharashtra and Gujarat have had varying degrees of experience as far as the issue of reservations is concerned. The opposition to reservation of seats in jobs and in education institutions has been marginal or absolutely nil. The overwhelming opinion among the people in these States, and even in "excellence-pursuing" academic circles, supports the principle and practice of reservation. The system seems to have got so embedded in the education sector in almost all these States, that the reaction is notably balanced.

The concept of reservation in education for historically oppressed sections of society took roots in South India over a century ago, along with the freedom movement. That a number of initiatives associated with the freedom struggle in this region had their lineage in the social reform movement against caste discrimination.

This concept was first advanced by Tamil Nadu, where the social and political assertion of OBCs and other deprived sections led to the creation of the powerful Dravidian movement. Reservation in education and public service began in the Madras Presidency (much of it is now in Tamil Nadu) as early as 1831. The British Raj initiated this in response to petitions from various public groups. Over the next few decades the provisions of reservation were progressively redefined and modified, correcting anomalies and rationalising affirmative action.

The process continued after Independence too and successive governments under the leadership of Dravidian parties such as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) introduced "rationalising" classifications like "economic scale" and Most Backward Castes (MBCs). The sum total of these measures was that reservation in the educational institutions in Tamil Nadu rose to 69 per cent, a figure commensurate with the total population of S.C.s, S.T.s, OBCs and MBCs in the State.

Tamil Nadu had 69 per cent reservation even before the Mandal Commission recommendations, promoting 27 per cent reservation for OBCs, were introduced at the national level. In this context, the Supreme Court came up with a stipulation seeking to limit reservation in educational institutions to 50 per cent. This order was a result of efforts by a number of anti-reservation organisations and individuals trying to bring down the reservation quota in Tamil Nadu. But the cumulative initiatives taken by various governments led by the Dravidian parties successfully resisted these counter-moves. The net result of all this is that since 1994, Tamil Nadu's 69 per cent reservation has the sanction of being part of the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution and hence is beyond judicial scrutiny.