Dalit’s job suspension was ‘discrimination’| Cathnews India

Dalit’s job suspension was ‘discrimination’

Published Date: July 30, 2010

Tags: C. Umashankar, civil servant, dalit christian, job suspension

Dalit’s job suspension was ‘discrimination’ thumbnail

Church leaders demonstrating for benefits for dalit Christians in 2007. Church officials are accusing the Tamil Nadu government of religious discrimination after it suspended a dalit Christian civil servant.

Indian Church officials have accused the Tamil Nadu state government of religious discrimination after it suspended a dalit Christian civil servant for allegedly producing false information to secure his job.

The state government suspended C. Umashankar on July 21, saying he presented a certificate stating he belonged to the Scheduled Castes group but did not say he was a Christian.

India’s constitution allows job and education quotas for dalit (former lower castes or “untouchables”) to improve their socio-economic status. However, Christians are denied such quotas on the grounds that their religion does not recognize the caste system. The dalit have been socially discriminated against and oppressed for centuries. The Indian Constitution in 1950 listed them as “Scheduled Castes” eligible for privileges to help their socioeconomic advancement.

Umashankar, who was employed in 1990, said he was a Hindu dalit then but converted to Christianity two years ago.

The government action is “illegal,” he said. No government can insist a caste certificate issued 24 years ago be updated to work against an individual’s freedom of religion.

“The government discriminates against citizens on the basis of religion. This case is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Father Cosmon Arokiaraj, secretary of the Indian bishops’ commission that looks after the interests of low-caste, tribal and underprivileged people.

“I have full solidarity with the officer who is helpless before the state. He has dealt honestly with a dishonest government,” he said.

The suspension goes “against the secular nature” of the country, said Father Devasageayaraj, secretary of the regional commission for dalit people.

The commission is discussing how to help the suspended officer and is consulting with other Christian leaders, he said.

Umashankar said he has filed a complaint with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes against the state government and is “considering” other options.

Media reports say Umashankar claimed the caste issue emerged after he made graft allegations against the state government, which involved relatives of the state chief minister.

Source: ucanews.com

Share this article: