The Archdiocese of Pondi-cherry and Cuddalore and the Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes will observe August 10 as a ‘black day’ in protest against denial of SC status to Dalit Christians and Muslims.
Fr. A. Arputharaj, Secretary, SC/ST Commission, Puducherry, told reporters that the presidential order issued on August 10, 1950 not granting SC status for Dalit converts was unjust. Therefore, August 10 has been deemed as a ‘black day,’ he said. The order holds that only Dalits who practise Hinduism can be treated as SC.
