Thanjavur: Members of the Dalit Christians Welfare Sangam (DCWS) staged a slogan-raising demonstration in Thanjavur today, demanding the Centre to include the Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste list. They also urged the state government to pass a resolution in the state assembly.

The demonstrators were led by the Sangam’s Nagapattinam district convenor, Raj alias Arogyasamy. They said that Dalit Christians suffered a lot as a religious minority. Quoting Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission report, which had recommended SC status for Dalit Christians, they urged the central government to immediately implement reservations for them too.

They also pointed out that those who embraced Sikhism and Buddhism continue to enjoy the Scheduled Caste status. They demanded that they be treated as members of the Scheduled Tribe, and given all concessions and privileges.

They also accused the Rev. Fr. Devadass Ambrose, the Bishop of Thanjavur Diocese, of discriminating against the Dalit Christians.