Former Bharatiya Janta Party MP from Gujarat,Ratilal Verma,has demanded that Dalits who have converted to Islam and Christianity should not be given reservation along with the others. The former chairperson of the Rashtriya Anusuchit Jati Evam Janjati Prakoshth of the Union government said such reservation will hamper the development of Dalits. Verma said this while addressing mediapersons in Lucknow on Tuesday. Dalits who have adopted other religions have done so to get benefits and social security. But by giving them reservation under the SC/ST quota,the UPA government will do injustice to those who are already marginalised, said Verma. We have collected around 5 lakh signatures against this move,which has already been submitted to President Pratibha Patil, he added. Verma claimed Dalits already have a very small share in the development agenda. They have a very small quota and this should majorly focus on them. Those who have converted have lost their identity as Dalits. Hence,it is unfair if they ask for reservation as Dalits, he said. The SC/ST cell of the BJP,along with other organisations working for the development of Dalits,will continue to protest against this move,Verma added.
