Lok Sabha Question No. 998 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-13
Subject: Commission for Examination of  SC Status for Converted Dalits
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Margani Bharat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.998 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2022

## COMMISSION FOR EXAMINATION OF SC STATUS FOR CONVERTED DALITS 998. SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has constituted a Committee to study giving SC status for Dalit converts;
- (c) the fate of the case before the Supreme Court filed by National Council of Dalit Christians and others and time-frame given to the Committee?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI A. NARAYANASWAMY)

(a) to (c): No Sir. However; a Commission has been constituted vide Notification No. S.O. 4742(E) dated 06.10.2022. The details regarding composition, terms of reference and tenure of the Commission are given in the notification. A copy of the notification is given at Annexure: Further, the matter is sub-judice:

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## ANNEXURE

REGDNoDL33004/99

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CG-DL-E-06102022-239368

## EXTRAORDINARY

PART II\_Section 3-\_Sub-section (ii)

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

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No. 4532]

NEW DELHI; THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2022/ASVINA 1944 14,

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## MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (Department of Social Justice and Empowerment)

## NOTIFICATION

New Delhi; the 6th October; 2022

- S.0. 4742(E): Whereas certain groups of persons who have   historically suffered social inequality, discrimination and the consequent backwardness resulting therefrom; have been declared to be Scheduled Castes by Presidential Orders issued from time to time under article 341 of the Constitution of India;

And  whereas,  certain   groups  have raised the question of revisiting the existing definition of Scheduled Castes by according the status to new persons who to other religions beyond those permitted through Presidential Orders, and in contrast, many other groups have also opposed the same; And whereas,  certain   representatives of the existing Scheduled Castes   have   objected to such   granting of Scheduled Caste status to new persons; And   whereas, this is a seminal and   historically  complex sociological and constitutional question, and a definite matter of public importance; belong

And whereas, given its importance, sensitivity and potential impact, any change in definition in this regard   should be on stakeholders and no Commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act; 1952 (60 of 1952) inquired into the matter,

Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952 (60 of 1952), the Central Government hereby a Commission of Inquiry consisting of following persons, namely:appoints

## Chairperson

Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, (Ex-Chief Justice of India)

## Members

- Dr. Ravinder Kumar Jain, IAS (Retd) (HP- 1981)
- ii) Prof. (Dr:) Sushma Yadav, (Member; UGC)
- 2\_ The terms of reference of the Commission shall be as follows: -
- (i) to examine the matter of according Scheduled Caste status to new persons, who claim to historically have belonged to the Scheduled Castes, but have converted to religion other than those mentioned in the Presidential  Orders issued from time to time under article 341 of the Constitution;
- (ii) to examine the implications on the existing Scheduled Castes, of adding such new persons as of the existing of Scheduled Castes; list part
- (iii) to examine the changes Scheduled Caste persons go through on converting to other religions in terms of their customs, traditions, social and other status discrimination and deprivation; and the implication of the same on the question of giving them Scheduled Caste status; and
- (iv) to examine any other related questions that the Commission deems appropriate, in consultation with and with the consent of the Central Government.
3. The Headquarters of the Commission shall be at New Delhi:
- 4 The Commission shall submit its report within a period of years from the date of over 0f the charge by the Chairperson. two taking

[F. No. RL-12016/9/2021-RL Cell] SURENDRA SINGH, Addl: Secy.