From ucanindia.in
Christians and Muslims of dalit origin in New Delhi observed 'Black Day' on 12 August demanding Scheduled Caste status and equal rights for them on a par with Hindu dalits.
The demonstration was organised by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the National Council for Churches in India (NCCI) and the National Council for Dalit Christians (NCDC).
The protesters shouted slogans against the government as they observed the 63rd anniversary of the ‘discriminatory’ presidential order of 1950.
The presidential order excludes Christians and Muslims from government benefits meant for the social betterment of dalits on the ground that their religions reject casteism.
A petition was filed eight years ago in Supreme Court challenging the validity of the order and the consequent Constitution amendment in 1950.
The protesters demanded that the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government should give appropriate answers to the query of the Supreme Court based on the recommendations of the Ranganath Misra Commission’s report.
Alwyn Masih, General Secretary of the Church of North India, said that it is shameful that a person has to be a Hindu to get dalit rights.
Roman Catholic Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi said that the country will progress only when everyone is treated equally.