Mangaluru: The Mangalore Diocesan Pastoral Parishad (Social and Media Committee) held a demonstration in front of the Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner’s office on Thursday demanding amendment of Constitutional Order 1950 (Scheduled Caste) to include Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste.
Black day observed to protest against the unjust Constitutional Order 1950 which excludes Dalit Christians from the SC list on the basis of religion. It can be recalled that the Constitutional Order 1950(Scheduled Caste) was amended in 1956 to include the Sikhs and in 1990 to include the Buddhists, the protesters said.
Msgr Denis Moras Prabhu the Vicar General of the diocese of Mangalore in his message urged the union government to take up the issue as early as possible and do justice to the people who have been deprived of their rights for the last seven decades.
Dr Vincent Alva, the Principal of St Mary’s degree College Milagres Kallianpur said, ‘ if yes for them, why not for us?’ is the question asked today all over India on behalf of the Dalit Christians regarding their exclusion from the SC list and that is the reason why August 10 is observed as black day.
MP Noronha reputed lawyer and the Secretary of Diocesan Pastoral Parishad said, exclusion of Dalit Christians in the SC list is violation of Article 14, 15, 19 and 25. The Constitution Order 1950 is amended in 1990 to include the converts to Buddhism. Hence it is injustice to deny this privilege to the Dalits who embrace Christianity.
A memorandum was also submitted on the occasion to the DC office which is to be forwarded to the offices of Indian President and Prime Minister.