New Delhi, August 04: Major blow to the religion conversion rackets as the central government clarified that no person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh, or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of a Scheduled Caste.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment A. Narayanaswamy gave the information in the Loksabha in a written reply today.
In its reply, the government clearly said that the benefits of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) meant for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes can not be extended to Converted Christians from Scheduled Castes.
The central govt informed that Andhra Pradesh govt had informed on 30th July 2021 that they have issued orders that non-statutory concessions granted to the Scheduled Castes (Hindus) by the State Government be extended to Scheduled Caste converts to Christian and Buddhism. The central govt, however, said that the scheme by the Andhra Pradesh govt will not apply to be.
The govt further added that since this will not apply to the benefits under Centrally Sponsored Schemes or any other statutory benefits, no further action is contemplated from the Ministry.
According to the reports, over 80 percent of Christian converts were from the SCs in Andhra Pradesh and they were enjoying the benefits facilitated by the 1977 order.
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