The decision of the Central Government to set up a commission to determine the question of whether the Scheduled Caste people who became Christian or Muslim by conversion should be considered as Dalit or not, the decision of the Central Government is as expected. It is difficult to say what conclusion this commission headed by the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will reach, but it is not hidden from anyone that there has been a demand for a long time that Dalits who have converted to Christianity and Muslims should also get the benefit of reservation.

It has been argued in its favor that even after the conversion, their status remained the same as that of Dalits and that is why they are identified as Dalit Christian and Dalit Muslim. It is also said that when the Scheduled Tribes are getting the benefit of reservation, then why should the Scheduled Castes not get it? In opposition to this, it is argued that even after the conversion, if the status of the Scheduled Castes remains the same as that of the Dalits, then how can it be said that there is no place for any concept of high/low castes backwar in Christianity and Islam and for caste discrimination? No?

The answer to this question is not easy to find, because while converting the Scheduled Castes people are tempted that they will not face any discrimination in the new sect. It is clear that the problem of caste discrimination among Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists is also there in Christianity and Islam. If the Dalits who have converted to Christianity and Muslims are given reservation as Dalits, then the morale of the elements involved in the conversion racket can increase further – just like the ones who are involved in conversion among the tribals.

Although the said commission will also explore the possibility of returning the converted Dalits to their original religion, but it is difficult to say that this will stop the growing demand for reservation based on caste-creed. There is a need to adopt a new approach in view of the new demands coming out regarding reservation. Since today’s time cannot be compared with the post-independence period, the eligibility of reservation should be decided afresh, so that only the eligible people get its benefits. Today there are only two castes in the country – one strong and the other weak. In such a situation, such a system should be made so that without seeing caste, creed, all disabled people can get reservation. In the case of reservation, this question should also be considered that why should anyone get its benefits from generation to generation?

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