WSN Service
NEW DELHI: Thousands of Indian Dalit Christians organised a rally at Delhi’s Boat Club to protest against denial of job reservation facilities once they left Hinduism and embraced Christianity.
Placards carried by several women and youths read: “End discrimination based on religion”. Later a 17 member deputation led by S.K. Chatterji met the Prime Minister to present a note arguing in favour of granting reservation to Dalit Christians whose status did not alter with the change of religion.
Meanwhile extension of reservation facilities to backward castes and communities in terms of the Mandal Commission report by the Government of India triggered off caste conflicts in several Indian states, especially U.P., Bihar, Rajastham & Gujarat with upper caste youths and students attacking backward community members and security forces.
Most upper caste parties pleaded for economic status as the criterion for reserving jobs in public services. BJP chief L.K. Ladvani regretted that the Prime Minister did not consult his party
Article extracted from this publication >> August 24, 1990
