Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On reservation

The suggestion of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes that reservation to the SCs be not extended to converted Muslims and Christians as only Hindu Dalits are treated as untouchables is unfair. It is a refection of the ignorance of ground realities. Untouchability is not practised in the church but it is practised in villages where Dalits live and work. The societies in which they live do not distinguish between a Hindu Dalit and a Christian Dalit. Studies have found that many Christian Dalits have been living in the same Dalit cheri (colony) for three generations and suffering the same persecution as Hindus. Sikhism and Buddhism are also egalitarian faiths. But Sikh Dalits and Buddhist Dalits enjoy reservation.

Ebe Sunder Raj,
Chennai

* * *

It is absurd to say that the benefits of reservation should not be extended to Dalits converted to Christianity and Islam. The very purpose of reservation is to uplift those who have been trampled upon by the so-called high castes for centuries. Just as a vertically challenged person cannot become a giant overnight, the status of a Dalit does not change the moment he converts. Religion should not come in the way of extending reservation to Dalits.

G.E.B. Siluvai Mani,
Chennai

* * *

The Commission has made a bold and appropriate recommendation. The basic reason cited for conversion is the practice of untouchability in Hindu religion, which is also the rationale behind reservation. Hence the reasoning that there is no need to extend reservation to Dalits among Christians and Muslims is sound.

N.V. Sudarsanan,
Chennai

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