CHENNAI: A delegation of bishops comprising Arch Bishop Peter Fernando, president of the Tamil Nadu Catholic Bishops Council, on Monday called on Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and put forth a five-point charter of demands which included implementation of reservation solely on the basis of caste and not on religion.
Karunanidhi assured them that the issues would be referred to the Backward Classes Commission Chairman Justice M S Janarthanam and a decision would be taken based on his recommendations.
When contacted, Rev Vincent Chinnadurai, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission, who was also part of the delegation reiterated that the reservation system should not be based on religion as India was a secular country, he said social justice could be established only when reservation system was implemented on the basis of caste.
When pointed out that the present reservation system was itself caste-based one, Fr. Chinnadurai said, “ The present system appears to be so. But primarily the reservation system is based on religion only.” Stating that there was inequality in treating certain sections of the society under the present reservation system, he said at present, for example Hindu Vanniyars were in MBC list while the Vanniyars who had embraced Christianity were in the BC list. People from Paravar community (fishermen) in many southern districts also face similar disparity. While Hindu Paravars come under MBC list, Christian Paravas were regarded as BCs.
The delegation also placed a demand to bring Dalit Christians in the Most Backward Class list. They suggested until the Central government includes Dalit Christians in SC list, the State, using its powers, should include them in the MBC list.
They also brought to the notice of the chief minister that getting minority status certificate for starting an educational institution had become a cumbersome formality. Fr Chinnadurai pointed out that during the past four or five years, minority status certificate was not given to anyone in Tamil Nadu.
In Andhra Pradesh, the government had empowered the minorities commission to issue the minority certificate and similar powers be accorded to the TN Minorities Commission, he said and the education department was demanding certificate from institutions which had completed 150 years of existence.
The delegation pointed out that the government had not extended grants-in-aid to the educational institutions started by minority communities after June 1, 1991.
Sanctioning more teachers as per the interim order of the Madras High Court and permission to recruit non-teaching staff were the two other demands of the delegation.