Dalit converts to Islam or Christianity will not be eligible for contesting parliamentary or assembly elections from constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), and cannot claim other reservation benefits : Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.
Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a response to a question in the Rajya Sabha or the Upper House of the Parliament on Thursday. However, those adopting Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist faiths would be eligible for contesting from SC re- served seats and getting others reservation benefits, Pra sad clarified in response to question from BJP membe GVL Narasimha Rao. Speaking on eligibilit to contest from reserve.
Speaking on eligibility to contest from reserved constituencies, the minister stated, “Para 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order outlines that.
no person who professes a religion different from Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.” The minister’s assertion makes a transparent distinction between Dalits adopting Islam and Christianity with these selecting to undertake Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism.
The Union regulation minister, nonetheless, clarified that there was no proposal to herald any modification within the Representation of the People Act to debar SCs/STs changing to Islam or Christianity from contesting parliamentary or meeting elections.
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