(a) whether the Government proposes to give Scheduled Caste status to Rai Sikhs, Majhabi Sikhs and Dalit Christians;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) whether the Government proposes to give Scheduled Caste status to Rai Sikhs, Majhabi Sikhs and Dalit Christians;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a) Presently, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) As per the Modalities made by Central Government in June, 1999 as modified in June, 2002, complete proposal with ethnographic support is essential for consideration of specification of a caste as a Scheduled Caste in relation to a State/Union Territory. The Government of Uttarakhand and NCT of Delhi had earlier recommended inclusion of Rai Sikh community in their respective list of Scheduled Castes but they did not furnish ethnographic details in support of the proposal. As such this Ministry has requested the Government of Uttarakhand and GNCT of Delhi to furnish complete proposal. However, they have not furnished it.
As regards inclusion of Majhabi Sikhs in the list of Scheduled Castes, no such proposal has been received from any State Government/Union Territory Administration in terms of aforesaid modalities.
In regard to grant of Scheduled Caste status to Scheduled Castes converts to Christianity, a number of writ petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court and the matter is, presently subjudice.