Khammam Bishop Dr. Prakash urges Supreme Court to review its verdict on SC reservations

On Good Friday, Bishop Dr Sagili Prakash urged the Supreme Court to review its verdict denying SC reservation benefits to Dalit Christians, highlighting constitutional rights, historical discrimination, and the need to address continued social and economic marginalisation.

Khammam: Chairman of Prison Ministries of Telugu States and erstwhile Khammam Catholic Diocese Bishop Dr Sagili Prakash stated that there was an urgent need for the Supreme Court to review its verdict to extend Scheduled Caste (SC) reservations to Dalit Christians.

On the occasion of Good Friday, the Bishop flagged off the ‘Way of the Cross’ procession here on Friday and hoped that the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) would flourish among all people and that peace would prevail across the globe.

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Addressing the devotees at Ambedkar Centre, Dr Prakash noted that the Indian Constitution, through Articles 13, 14 and 25, declares that any individual is free to practise the religion of their choice. Dalit Christians, too, embrace and follow the Christian faith in accordance with their own free will.

Even as the entire nation strongly condemned the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the 1950 Presidential Order that restrict SC reservations to Dalits who embraced Christianity, Dalit Christians were denied the reservation benefits, he lamented.

He opined that for generations Dalits have faced untouchability and social discrimination, and the denial of reservation benefits would subject them to even greater economic and social marginalisation. He appealed to the Supreme Court to reconsider its verdict, thereby rectifying the injustice the Dalits have endured.

Dr Prakash further stated that he has personally met the country’s Prime Ministers, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Union Ministers and Members of Parliament to convey the plight and grievances of Dalit Christians.

The Bishop told over 5,000 devotees who joined the procession that Lord Jesus bore the Cross and endured immense suffering to redeem all of humanity from sin. Good Friday was a time to reflect on God’s mercy and spiritual renewal, as it offers hope amidst pain, he noted.

Religious leaders Surepalli Isaac, Vijay Kumar, G Suresh, Johannes, Jayaraju, Gova Shouraiah, Yesu Raju, Joseph, Raju and T Anthony, community leaders Kommu Prasad, Mutthamala Prasad and others were present.