Date:28/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/28/stories/2005092816200500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Plea to pass Bill on quota for Dalit Christians

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Indian Christian Association of Tamil Nadu has decided to request Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to pass the Bill on reservation for Dalit Christians in the next session of Parliament.

This would enable all Dalit Christians to be included in the Scheduled Caste category, as in the case of Dalit converts to Sikhism and Buddhism, a resolution passed at the general body meeting of the Association held here recently said.

It was also decided to request Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to pass orders to include Adi-dravidars, Vanniars, Shanars, Gramani Christians and converts to Christianity from all Hindu most-backward classes in the Tamil Nadu Most Backward Classes list, a press release here said.

Though the Chief Minister, in a letter dated 6 May, had directed the Member Secretary, Backward Classes Commission, to send recommendations to the government immediately, the matter had not been pursued any further, it said.