The Government, as per the requirements of the Constitution and law, had asked the National Commission of Scheduled Castes and the National Commission of Backward Classes to examine the issue of providing reservation benefits for Dalit Christians and Muslims and was awaiting their recommendations.
According to a report, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Meira Kumar said she was not authorised to make any observation regarding this issue till the two commissions gave their recommendations. The National Commission for Linguistic and Religious Minorities had examined the issue of reservation for Dalit Christians and Muslims and submitted its recommendations to the Government. Meira Kumar said the report stated that 15 per cent reservation for Scheduled Castes could not be disturbed. Replying to a question, raised by Congress MP P. J. Kurien on the demand by the Dalit Christians and Muslims for reservations, the Minister said quota for them fell in the category of OBCs.