The National SC Reservation Parirakshana Samithi (NSCRPS) has filed a complaint with the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Assembly Speaker against Andhra Pradesh MLA Mr. Dulam Nageswara Rao who had pressurized government officials to issue SC certificate to converted Scheduled Caste Christians without following the due process as mandated by the government which is in violation of the Constitutional provisions.
In a press briefing he had said that Scheduled Caste persons who have converted to Christianity must be given SC caste certificates without any verification. He also said that he has called upon the Mandal Revenue Officer not to harass or verify the actual religion being practised by applicants for Scheduled Caste community certificates.
Lodged petition with AP Governor and Assembly Speaker against Mr. Dulam Nageswar Rao, MLA, Kaikaluru Constituency, Krishna District for pressurising Revenue officials and forcing them to issue Scheduled Caste certificates to SC converted Christians. pic.twitter.com/viMGd8IwTQ
— NSCRPS (@NSCRPS1) August 1, 2020
This is in direct contravention to The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 which lays down that practicing and professing Hindu religion is a necessary pre-condition for anyone to be considered as Scheduled Caste.
The complaint, a copy of which was accessed by The Commune, also cites the Circular Memo No. 10956/CVI/97-2 dated 16th February, 1998 issued by Social Welfare (CV) Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh that says that “it is incumbent upon the authority issuing the caste certificates to establish by way of a local spot enquiry on a case to case basis, by verifying the customs, day to day religious practices, festivals, religious ceremonies etc.”
The rules and orders clearly establish that those practising Christianity are not entitled to claim Scheduled Caste status.
The officials who were merely following the established procedure of making enquiries regarding the religions professed by the applicants have been warned of dire consequences if applicants are denied SC caste certificates merely on grounds of conversion to Christianity.
The complaint notes that “the MLA’s press briefing mandating the officials to issue certificates to converted SC Christians goes against the letter and spirit of the procedure governing issue of caste certificates.”
It added that such statement made by a public representative will not only demoralise the government officials but also seriously jeopardise the opportunities of genuine Scheduled Caste communities.