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Minister says no to quota demand for Dalit converts

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Madan Dilawar on Saturday opposed the demand for extending reservation in government jobs to the Christian and Muslim converts among Dalits, saying the move would “go against the spirit of the Constitution”.

Some sections in the Congress and other political parties have backed a recent call by the Bahujan Samaj Party to provide Scheduled Caste status to Christian and Muslim Dalits with the contention that their social and economic status is in no way better than Dalits of other religions.

A Presidential Order of 1950 does not recognise Dalit Christians and Muslims as Scheduled Castes, denying them the reservation benefits accorded to other Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

Addressing a press conference convened here to publicise the achievements of his department, Mr. Dilawar said the Semitic religions such as Christianity and Islam had no concept of caste hierarchy and their followers could not claim a benefit that was aimed essentially at ending caste-based prejudices and discrimination among Hindus.

“Dalits converting to Christianity and Islam automatically save themselves from the purported injustice meted out to them in the Hindu fold. Why do they need reservation in the government jobs?” asked Mr. Dilawar.

The Minister said any demand to disturb the existing 15 per cent quota for Scheduled Castes was unacceptable as it would go against the spirit of the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s guidelines and “break the nation”.

“There is no logic in the demand that all Dalits irrespective of their faith be given reservation,” he said.

Mr. Dilawar, known for his radical views, also underlined the need to redefine the concept of minorities, while affirming that all citizens of the country should have a single identity.

“The United Nations defines minorities as the settlers born outside a country,” he said.

Mr. Dilawar said the State Social Justice and Empowerment Department had launched several new schemes for welfare of weaker sections and disabled and old people. Over 26 lakh below poverty line (BPL) families in the State were given free life insurance, while the number of pensioners under various categories had increased from 6 lakh to 8.73 lakh during the past four years.

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