Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Oct 7: To determine whether new individuals who claim to have historically belonged to the SC community but have converted to other religions can be granted Scheduled Caste (SC) status, the Central government has established a three-member commission led by former Chief Justice of India (CJI) KG Balakrishnan.
The Central government’s Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issued a notification to that effect on October 6 in exercise of its powers under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act.
The commission will be led by Justice Balakrishnan and comprise Dr. Ravinder Kumar Jain, IAS (Retd) as Member along with Prof. (Dr.) Sushma Yadav, UCG.
The panel will also examine the implications of the decision, if it comes to be on the existing Scheduled Castes, besides taking into account the changes in customs, traditions, and their status of social discrimination and deprivation, after these people converted to other religions.
The announcement states that the panel must present its findings within two years of the day the chairperson assumed control. The announcement also stated that New Delhi would serve as the commission’s headquarters.
