NEW DELHI: The National Commission for the Scheduled Castes has rejected the demand for reservation for the Dalit Muslims and Christians on the ground that untouchability — the main criteria for reservation for this community — was peculiar to Hindu religion only.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, acting chairperson of the Commission Fakirbhai Vaghela said once an individual adopted Islam or Christianity, he did not face the social stigma of untouchability, and hence should not fall within the purview of reservation. "As it is, we are unable to fill the existing reserved vacancies,'' he said.

However, Mr. Vaghela clarified that Sikh and Buddhist Dalits were entitled to reservation because both these religious sects were considered part of Hinduism under the Constitution.

The Commission has also recommended to the Government that if girls from the Scheduled Caste community married a non-Scheduled Caste, their children should also not be entitled to reservation as it would disturb the social balance within the family and the children from the Scheduled Caste parents would be deprived of this benefit. "Also, the incidence of misuse of benefits and safeguards provided for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes will escalate,'' he added. There is also a likelihood of exploitation of women from the Scheduled Caste for the purpose of benefits, the chairperson said.

On creamy layer

Pointing out that the creamy layer should be excluded from the Other Backward Classes since their basis for reservation was economic backwardness and once anyone became financially sound he should be outside the purview of reservation, Mr. Vaghela said the situation was different for the SCs as the stigma of untouchability prevailed even if the family or an individual was economically well-off.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail