Suspend SC survey: Forum

Time of India

06-05-2025

Mangaluru: The Confederation of SCs and STs Organisation has urged the govt to act against serious constitutional violations and suspend the Scheduled Caste Comprehensive Survey 2025 . Confederation president Lolaksha told reporters on Tuesday, that an appeal was made to the superintendent of police, Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE), chief secretary to the Karnataka govt, principal secretary to the social welfare department, and the ADGP of DCRE.The state govt established the Justice HN Nagamohan Das One Man Inquiry Commission to provide internal reservations among the 101 Scheduled Castes designated in the state. The commission's chairman stated that the commission would conduct a survey of Scheduled Castes in the state starting May 5, using 58,932 teachers and anganwadi workers.Justice Das stated that if someone officially converted to Christianity and obtained a certificate to that effect, they would not be included in the list of 101 SC castes. Similarly, those who converted to Islam and obtained a caste certificate under that name would not be included. However, if someone practices Christianity outwardly but continues to use SC credentials in govt records to avail benefits, and mentions their sub-caste during the survey, they will be included, Lolaksha said."As per Article 341(1) of the Constitution and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 (as amended), only those practising Hinduism, Sikhism, or Buddhism are recognised as Scheduled Castes. Any SC certificate issued to individuals outside these religions is invalid and considered fraudulent. There is a conspiracy to include Dalit Christians in the ambit of the scheduled caste, which needs to be opposed," he said.The social welfare department, the nodal department, and the state govt should ensure that no one who has converted to Christianity or Islam, regardless of whether they hold an SC certificate, is eligible for inclusion in the SC survey, Lolaksha demanded. "A brief period will be allowed to receive their response before determining the next steps. We demand legal action against unconstitutional and unlawful actions under the guise of an internal reservation survey," he added.