SC/ST status issue: CPI (ML) Mass urges Supreme Court to review caste status verdict

CPI (M-L) Mass Line state secretary Potu Ranga Rao has called on the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling that denies SC/ST caste status to individuals who convert to Christianity or Islam. He argued that the verdict reinforces Manusmriti-based discrimination and undermines centuries of struggle against caste oppression.

Khammam: CPI (M-L) Mass Line state secretary Potu Ranga Rao has urged the Supreme Court to review its recent verdict that SC, ST caste status does not apply to those who convert to Christianity and other religions.

In a statement here on Wednesday he stated that the Supreme Court’s ruling was a serious loss to the individuals who were oppressed and marginalised based on caste and class in society. This verdict was nothing but a vindication of the Manuvada (Manusmriti) doctrine.

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Indian society has witnessed caste discrimination and oppression for thousands of years. The people of productive and working castes were seen as untouchables in society. For thousands of years, they were kept away from education and economic empowerment, Ranga Rao said.

SC/STs were subjected to political, economic and social oppression. Caste oppression took place in a rung-by-rung manner. In this context, many political and social movements were carried out for their rightful place in society.

On the other hand, seeing this oppression created by Manusmriti, they joined Christianity and Islam for relief. However, caste discrimination continued. In this context, the framers of the Constitution decided to provide reservations in the Constitution, he noted.

The reservations have given them some opportunities in society. The affected communities could be reverted to their previous state in the society with the Supreme Court’s verdict. It supports the political policies of religious fanatics.

Moreover, the verdict could take away the religious freedom of individuals. Hence the Supreme Court should consider the Indian social conditions and appropriately reverse the decision, Ranga Rao added.