A large number of Muslims and Dalit Christians from across the country took part in a protest march at Jantar Mantar in the Capital on May 14, against the delay in implementation of the Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission’s recommendations for extending SC status to Christians and Muslims of Scheduled Caste origin. Several religious heads of Catholic and Protestant churches joined the protest.
According to the organisers, the protest was aimed at intensifying the struggle of Dalit Christians and Muslims. President National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) Mary John said: “If the SC status is not granted, Dalit Christians and Muslims will intensify the struggle in the states and may resort to alternative options in the forthcoming general elections. “We urge the Centre to grant Scheduled Caste status to Christians and Muslims of Scheduled Caste origin,” said NCDC national convenor V. J. George.