India’s Supreme Court has directed the federal government to take the stand within the next three weeks on the issue of extending scheduled caste tag to Dalit Christians and Muslims.
The court also directed all parties to submit written submissions in three days before the next date of hearing on October 11.
Under the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, only Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs are recognized as scheduled castes.
The All India Catholic Union earlier challenged a presidential order that denied constitutional benefits to Christians of Scheduled Caste origin.
The union explained before the court the need to give equal treatment to Christians and other minorities of Scheduled Caste origin.
The government lawyer, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said that issue has been “engaging the attention of the central government.” He requested the court “for some time to bring the decision on record.”
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