A formal complaint has been lodged against VM Thomas, the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Gangadhara Nellore constituency in Chittoor District, alleging misuse of his Scheduled Caste (SC) status. The SC ST Rights Forum, a non-government organization, submitted the complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh, accusing Thomas of contesting from a reserved SC constituency despite being a Christian, which violates the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950.
According to the complaint, Thomas was elected in the 2024 General Elections from the Gangadhara Nellore SC Reserved constituency. However, during a recent visit to Tirumala, Thomas allegedly signed a declaration stating that he is a Christian while expressing respect for Hindu beliefs. News outlets, including Zee Telugu and Andhra Watch, reported on this declaration, raising concerns over his eligibility to hold an SC certificate.
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950 states that individuals who convert to Christianity or Islam are no longer eligible for SC status. The forum alleges that Thomas concealed his religious identity to contest in the SC-reserved constituency, thereby misusing reservation benefits meant for the welfare of the SC community.
The SC ST Rights Forum has requested the Chief Electoral Officer to direct the District Collector of Chittoor to initiate an inquiry into the matter and refer it to the District Level Scrutiny Committee. The complaint seeks a thorough investigation to determine whether Thomas is ineligible for the SC certificate and if any legal actions need to be taken.
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