Centre Forms Panel To Examine Giving Dalit Status To Religious Converts
NDTV
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (amended from time to time) says that no person professing a religion other than Hinduism or Sikhism, or Buddhism can be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.
The Centre has appointed a commission headed by former CJI KG Balakrishnan to examine the matter of giving Scheduled Caste status to new people who claim to "historically" have belonged to the Scheduled Castes, but have converted to a religion other than those mentioned in the Presidential orders.
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (amended from time to time) says that no person professing a religion other than Hinduism or Sikhism, or Buddhism can be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.
However, Muslim, and Christian groups have often demanded similar status for Dalits who have converted to their religions. The BJP has been opposed to their demand.
The three-member team also includes retired IAS officer Dr Ravinder Kumar Jain and member UGC Professor Sushma Yadav, according to a gazette notification issued by the Social Justice and Empowerment ministry on Thursday.
