With the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Dalit Christian Liberation Movement (DCLM) organised a state-level conference in Chennai on 19 February 2026, with the participation of several leaders from parties aligned with the DMK-led coalition.
It is noteworthy that members of the DCLM met with DMK HR&CE minister Sekar Babu earlier in this regard.
The event, held at Raja Annamalai Mandram from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, was led by DCLM State President Dr. M. Mary John and projected as a major mobilisation for the rights of Dalit Christians.
The central agenda of the conference was a renewed push for 4.6% internal reservation within the Backward Classes (BC) quota for Dalit Christians.
Event material circulated by organisers argued that Dalit Christians, despite conversion, continue to face social and economic backwardness and therefore deserve quota benefits. The movement framed the demand as a long-pending justice issue and called for political intervention to secure it.
The demand can be seen as part of a broader attempt to reopen the contentious debate around religion-linked reservation benefits.
What has drawn particular attention is the heavy presence of leaders from parties that are part of or aligned with the DMK-led alliance. Those listed in the programme include:
- K. Selvaperunthagai, MLA (TNCC chief – Congress)
- M. Sindhanai Selvan, MLA (VCK)
- S. Inigo Irudayaraj, MLA
- M.H. Jawahirullah, MLA (MMK)
- S. Peter Alphonse, former MP (Congress)
- M. Veerapandian (CPI)
- K.M. Kader Mohideen (IUML)
- K.M. Sheriff (TMMK)
- Kudanthai Arasan (Viduthalai Tamil Puligal)
- E. Yesudoss (Tamilaga Makkal Nala Katchi)
- Dr. R. Philip Baskar
The conference also featured an extensive lineup of Christian clergy and denominational representatives, including figures from CSI, TELC and CBCI-linked bodies such as:
- Rev. Dr. S. Irudhayaraj (CBCI SC/ST/BC Commission)
- Rev. Fr. Ilanchezhiyan (SDB)
- Rev. Fr. Jayaseelan Amalnathan
- Rev. Fr. Z. Jesukumaraj
- Rev. Fr. F. Gnanapragasam
The scale of church participation indicates organised institutional backing for the demand, despite them saying people convert to their fold to ‘escape’ caste discrimination.
This is the same group of people who would be opposed to the EWS reservation.
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