Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

On reservation

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has suggested that reservation should not be extended to Christian and Muslim converts. The reasoning is that untouchability is practised only among Hindus. The practice of treating people as untouchables is the creation not of the Hindu religion, but of society. It cannot be eliminated by a simple change of faith. Granting a constitutional benefit to persons of a caste belonging to a particular faith and denying it to those who follow other religions is neither fair nor legal.

R.J.B. Frederick,
Thanjavur

If there is no caste distinction among Christians and Muslims, why are the backward among them covered under reservation? Why are ST Christians extended reservation? On what basis has the Commission concluded that Dalits convert only to escape untouchability? Christian and Muslim Dalits are as Indian as their Hindu counterparts and discrimination is part of Indian society.

A. Clement,
Chennai

Dalits are not uplifted as soon as they convert to Christianity or Islam. Their way of life and social status continue to remain the same. Reservation is a constitutional right that the likes among citizens should get.

Valerian Menezes,
Udupi

Dalit Christians and Muslims reside in the same locality as Hindu Dalits. They are engaged in the same occupations that include manual scavenging and undertaking funerals. They are treated as Dalits by other castes in churches and mosques. If the granting of the SC status to Sikh and Buddhist Dalits is justified, there is no reason why Christian and Muslim Dalits should be denied it.

Rajkumar Rathinasamy,
Madurai

Converted Dalits cannot have their cake and eat it too. They cannot be outside the Hindu fold and claim the privileges of Hindu Dalits. I am sure they were aware that they would forgo the benefits if they converted to Christianity or Islam.

Seshagiri Row Karry,
Hyderabad

A person cannot enjoy reservation on the basis of caste and the benefits that accrue to the minorities. Once he or she opts for another religion, he or she belongs to that religion. There can be no separate category of converts.

Chidambar Rao Bhukya,
Kanpur

It is worthwhile to discuss whether or not reservation has achieved the desired result instead of deliberating to whom it should be extended. Reservation itself should be withdrawn in phases. However, I agree that people cannot cite caste discrimination to convert to another religion and continue to claim equivalent benefits.

Jeevitha Jayakumar,
Chennai

The founding fathers of our Constitution provided reservation to Dalits to enable them to join the mainstream. Extending it to the converts will defeat the purpose and encourage conversion.

N. Ramamurthy,
Chennai

The letters arguing for reservation for converts (Jan. 27) clearly show that the social disabilities of Dalits are not specific to Hindus. Leaders of other religions should stop making tall claims of freedom for Dalits from caste prejudices.

R.S.V. Subramanian,
Chennai

All those who seek to embrace another religion are aware of what they are about to lose and gain. The Commission is right in saying converts are not entitled to reservation.

R. Venkatramani,
Chennai

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