New Delhi:
Kerala BJP today sought discontinuation of the Ranganath Mishra Commission report which has recommended inclusion to convert Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims in the list of Scheduled Castes.
Kerala BJP chief V Muraleedharan expressed hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will take part in the 152nd birth anniversary celebrations of Kerala Dalit icon Ayyankali tomorrow, would articulate the government's view on the report.
He said that any move to implement the Ranganatha Mishra Commission report would "jeopardise the interests of Scheduled Castes".
"Ranganatha Mishra Commission report should discontinue. That view (of BJP) is well known. I hope on this occasion, Prime Minister may make some reference on this aspect," Mr Muraleedharan said, amid demands from a significant section of the society that the converted Dalits should be granted reservation under SC quota.
Noting that Scheduled Caste status in the country was decided on the basis of untouchability which prevailed only in the Hindu society, he said no religious follower other than a Hindu should be granted any reservation as Scheduled Castes in the community.
"We are not demanding that their (convert Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims) backward status should not be considered. If at all there is backwardness still existing after embracing other faiths, let them be given some other reservations. Not as part of the existing SC reservation," he said.
BJP has said that educational level of Scheduled Castes children remains much lower than that of convert Dalit Christians and Muslims and if they are granted reservation under SC quota, the children of converts would grab major share of reservation in government jobs.
The party also says that the converted Dalit Christians and Muslims would become eligible to contest election on seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, if the Ranganatha Mishra Commission report is implemented.
The Kerala BJP also fears that implementation of report would encourage conversion and destroy the fabric of Indian society.
Ayyankali's birth anniversary celebrations are being jointly organised by the National Scheduled Caste Morcha of BJP and Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha, a Dalit organisation once close to CPI(M) in Kerala.