The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is committed to the struggle for the inclusion of Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste (SC) list, said Dr. Poornachandra Rao, IPS, the party's state coordinator and retired DGP. Speaking at a state-level roundtable meeting organized by the Christian Coordination Council in Vijayawada on Wednesday, he criticized the governments for undermining the prolonged struggles, by establishing committees that failed to deliver results.
Dr. Rao recalled that 15 years ago, Mayawati had supported this cause, highlighting that the Congress and BJP were deceiving the public with empty promises in the name of committees. He emphasized that despite the ongoing fight to include Dalit Christians in the SC list, governments continue to use committees and commissions to render these efforts ineffective.
“Dr. Ambedkar ensured reservations for SC and ST communities. However, despite their long-standing struggle against humiliation and neglect, Dalit Christians have seen no improvement in their circumstances. They remain trapped in caste-based discrimination. Governments deceive them by denying reservations, further complicating their lives. After decades of demand, committees will no longer take action; our struggles will pave the way forward. Nevertheless, the BSP will maintain its stance and clearly express our position before the CJI Balakrishnan Commission, which may visit Andhra Pradesh shortly,” Dr. Rao stated.
Retired IAS officer Samuel Anand Kumar, who also spoke at the meeting, noted, “Historically, even after becoming Christians, Dalits continue to face various forms of humiliation. They are seen as outcasts by archbishops and pastors from upper castes. Dalit Christians continue to face caste discrimination as caste identities are imposed on them even after embracing Christianity. We have made a representation at the Delhi level and demanded our rightful status as SCs. Although we have little hope from this government, we will continue to fight, and we thank the BSP for extending unconditional support to our movement.”
BSP state president Sri Bakka Paramjyothy assured that the party fully understands the anguish of Dalit Christians and would provide stronger support for their cause.
IPS officer K. Baburao (Retd. Addl. DG), Rev. Dayapathra (AICC President, Tamil Nadu), Dr. Tennet Jayaraju (noted author), Bishop K. Shanti Sagar (Independent), Advocate Rev. Karanam Tirupatirao (High Court), and Bokka Georgimuller (National Christian Council state president), along with pastors and religious leaders from across the state participated in the round table.