On Thursday, law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad replied to a question in Rajya Sabha that Dalits converting into Islam or Christianity will not be permitted for contesting parliamentary or assembly elections for constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and cannot claim benefits from other reservations as well.
Prasad cleared in his answer that those embracing Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist faiths would be eligible for contesting from SC reserved seats and enjoying reservation benefits.
“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”, Prasad explained on eligibility to contest from reserved constituencies.
The statement made by the minister clearly explains the difference between Dalits adopting Islam or Christianity on one hand and those deciding to go with Hinduism, Sikhism, and Buddhism on the other hand.
There was no proposal to bring in an amendment in the Representation of the People Act to exclude SCs or STs converting to Islam or Christianity from contesting parliamentary or assembly elections, the Union law minister said.