Bishop Sagili Prakash of the Diocese of Khammam has asked the Supreme Court of India to review the exclusion of Dalit Christians from Scheduled Caste reservation benefits.
Speaking during a Good Friday gathering in Khammam on April 3, the bishop said that Dalit Christians continue to face social and economic discrimination and should not lose reservation benefits after converting to Christianity.
He said the Indian Constitution guarantees equality and freedom of religion under Articles 13, 14, and 25. According to the bishop, people who choose to become Christians do so freely, but their conversion should not take away benefits linked to their historical social disadvantage.
Bishop Prakash criticised the Presidential Order of 1950, which limits Scheduled Caste status mainly to Dalits who follow Hinduism. The benefits were later extended to Sikhs and Buddhists, but not to Christians or Muslims.
He said this exclusion prevents Dalit Christians from receiving reservation benefits in education and government jobs.
“For generations, Dalits have faced discrimination and untouchability. Denying reservation benefits makes their suffering worse,” the bishop said.
The bishop spoke after leading a “Way of the Cross” procession in Khammam that was attended by more than 5,000 people.
During his address at Ambedkar Centre, he also spoke about peace, unity, and the idea of the world as one family.
Bishop Prakash said he has raised this issue many times with national leaders, including prime ministers, presidents, and members of parliament.
