Mother Teresa protests to demand extension of SC status to Dalits converted to Christianity

The controversy was inevitable. In what is considered her first ever move to lend support to an even remotely political cause.Mother Teresa last fortnight inaugurated the 10-day-long all-India protest programme organised by the National Coordination Committee for SC Christians to demand the extension of SC status to Dalits who have converted to Christianity. She did not directly address the demand, but her very presence was evidence of the Christian community's determination this time round.Predictably, the reactions were strong. Said Jaswant Singh, BJP MP: "When contentious issues are taken up. the controversy will stick to whoever associates with them, however eminent she may be." However, Sharad Yadav, leader of the Janata Dal Parliamentary Party differed. "Mother Teresa is merely standing by the poor, "he said.The issue is the 1950 Constitution (SC) Order denying reservations to SC converts to Sikhism, Buddhism and Christianity. Later, it was amended to include SC converts to Sikhism (in 1956) and Buddhism (in 19 90), but not SC Christians. Says Bishop V.M. Concessao, auxiliary bishop, Roman Catholic Church, Delhi: "If our demand is not conceded, it will prove the Congress is not committed to social justice."The arguments against the demand are well known: that once a person converts to Christianity, his caste becomes irrelevant, and that Christian SCs have an edge over other SCs because they study in Christian educational institutions. Concessao counters this: "An SC convert is not living in isolation in a totally Christian society." Bishop P.B. Santram, Delhi bishop of the Church of North India, adds: "By giving Christian SCs seats in educational institutions, we are using our own limited resources. But should the country's resources be denied them?" Considering the timing of the protests - just before the winter session of Parliament and the coming general election - and that bishops of all sects are participating. SC Christians seem more determined than ever. Will they meet with success? Says Yadav: "We will support the demand. Just because the NF government didn't do it (in 1990) does not mean the mistake should continue." Singh strikes a different note: "If even after conversion they demand reservations, why did they convert?" Speaking to India Today, Mother Teresa said: "I will not get mixed up in what people are saying about me. Everybody knows my love for Hindus, Muslims and Christians is the same." And while the controversy rages, the position as of now is that an SC convert to Christianity loses his SC status, which will be restored if he reconverts to Hinduism. For the 16 million SC Christians in the country - who form over 60 per cent of the total Christian population - this is a matter they feel can no longer be ignored.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Dec 15, 1995 00:00 IST--- ENDS ---

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Mother Teresa protests to demand extension of SC status to Dalits converted to Christianity

Mother Teresa inaugurated the 10-day-long all-India protest programme to demand the extension of SC status to Dalits who have converted to Christianity.

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