Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

NCM’s suggestion

After six decades of invidious discrimination on religious grounds, the plight of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians has been highlighted by the National Commission for Minorities (April 5), which has suggested that they be given reservation. Except a few, most of our leaders have turned a deaf ear to the cause of Dalit converts. Even eminent Christians failed to focus adequately on this injustice. The Gopalsingh Commission recommended amendment of the Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order of 1950 in 1983 itself. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran issued a government order extending the backward class status to all Christian converts from Hindu backward communities. Other States followed suit. When converts from Hindu backward class communities could be included in the BCs list, denying the SC status to Dalit converts is nothing but grave injustice.

I.D. Jawahar Raj,

Tirunelveli

There are no Dalits among Muslims. Islam stands for brotherhood and compassion: it treats all its followers equally. It is one of the main reasons for the spread of Islam. When people embrace Islam, they are welcomed with open arms and integrated in Islamic society without discrimination.

Abu Saif,

Chennai

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