The classification of Scheduled Castes (SC) in India is determined by certain criteria and is governed by the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950. This order was created to address the socioeconomic disadvantages faced by specific communities due to the practice of untouchability, predominantly within Hindu society. Initially, it only recognized Hindus as SCs. However, this Order has been amended twice, firstly in 1956 to include Sikhs and again in 1990 to encompass Buddhists.
Recent Developments and The Role of Registrar General of India
Recently, India’s Supreme Court reviewed a 2007 report by the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities. Despite criticism from the Centre, the Court found valuable insights in the report, especially concerning the potential unconstitutionality of excluding Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam from the SC category. Contrarily, the Centre argues that Dalits converting to these religions to escape caste burdens cannot claim reservation benefits afforded to those remaining within the Hindu faith.
Highlights of the Ranganath Mishra Report
The 2007 Ranganath Mishra Commission advocated for the extension of SC reservation to Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam. The report highlighted that these converts suffer discrimination not only from upper-castes within their new faiths but also from the broader Hindu-majority society. It proposed that such exclusion violates the constitutional guarantee of equality and contravenes the principles of religions rejecting caste discrimination.
Exclusion of Dalit Christians and Muslims and Its Implications
The denial of SC status to Dalit converts results in their continued socio-economic and educational marginalization. It restricts them from benefiting from reservations in education and employment opportunities, as granted under Article 16 of the Indian Constitution.
The Inclusion and Reasoning behind Excluding Dalit Christians and Muslims
Despite amendments to include Sikhs and Buddhists in the SC category, Christians, and Muslims remain excluded. The Office of the Registrar General of India (RGI) cautioned the government that extending SC status to these communities would result in a significant population surge, thereby diluting the benefits for these disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the RGI argued that Dalits converting to Islam or Christianity do not form a single ethnic group and therefore cannot be included in the SC list as per Clause (2) of Article 341.
Understanding the Role of the Registrar General of India
Established in 1961 under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Registrar General of India is responsible for organizing, conducting, and interpreting the results of India’s demographic surveys, including the Census of India and Linguistic Survey of India. The RGI also provides substantial input on matters like caste and religious conversions, significantly impacting policy decisions on these subjects.
The debate around the inclusion of Dalit converts to Christianity and Islam in the SC category is complex and multifaceted, involving elements of constitutional law, social justice, and religious freedoms. It highlights the deep-rooted caste inequalities present within Indian society and raises pertinent questions about how to tackle such systemic discrimination. This subject continues to spark intense discussions among policymakers, scholars, and civil society, underscoring the importance of comprehensive and informed policymaking in addressing such socio-religious complexities within India’s diverse society.