Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 25: Demanding reservation for Dalit Christians in Government jobs and admission in professional courses, J&K Christian Dalit Association, Jammu has decided to intensify its struggle for the goal.
Decision to this effect was taken in a meeting convened and presided over by S Peter, president of the Association, which was attended by a number of prominent members of the community, here today.
Addressing the meeting S Peter stated that the Dalits among the Christians are the most backward socially, economically as well as professionally. Most of them are engaged in menial jobs of scavenging as Safai Karamcharis in the Municipal bodies and even in private households. They are the most depressed and backward compared to all others communities but unfortunately they are not accorded the status of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or even backward classes, he lamented.
Besides reservation in Government jobs and professional courses, the Association also reiterated the demand for a Dalit Christian Development Board for the community on the pattern of Development Boards for Gujjars, Bakerwals, STs and SCs and scholarship for Dalit Christian students.
To press for their demand, the Association members will submit representations to legislators belonging to all the parties to raise the issue in the State Assembly and Legislative Council through resolutions or private member’s bill, the meet decided.
The Association also appealed the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take effective steps for the uplift and development of Christians Dalits, by providing them at least one percent reservation in all the spheres.
Those who attended the meeting included Madan Gill, Hamid Matoo, Sham Gill, Johnson Gill, George Sotra, Vicky Lawrance, Sacheen Gill, Master Seelam Bured, Ruksana Gill (Mohall Ustaad), Shilli Bhatti, Ravwal Kohnaja, Nazma Gill, Seema Gill, Shakeel Gill and others.
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