Koshi commission report: Recommendation to increase reservation for Dalit Christians

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is hinted that Justice JB Kosi Commission has recommended to the government to resolve the discrimination, including the denial of reservation benefits in job appointments to Dalit Christians.

Chairman Justice Koshy submitted the report of the commission appointed by the government to study the social and economic backwardness and welfare of Christian minorities to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan yesterday. Commission members Retd DGP Jacob Punnoos, Member Secretary, and District Judge CV Francis were also present in the Chief Minister's Chamber.

The Commission's assessment is that those who have converted from Dalit communities to Christianity currently have the benefit of reservation in job appointments just for the sake of it. As they are in the 45th rotation order, there is virtually no benefit. They want to get all the benefits they were getting as Scheduled Castes before they converted to Christianity and they also want a system like Backward Welfare Commission. Justice Koshi told Kerala Kaumudi that the contents of the report cannot be disclosed.

Another demand is that there should be a welfare fund for Sunday school teachers like madrasa teachers. The commission examined the 4.87 lakh complaints received and submitted 500 recommendations in two volumes. The commission's assessment is that the Scheduled Castes and coastal residents who have converted to Christianity are the most backward people among Christians. Another complaint is that under the state government's Punargeham scheme, the provision of Rs 5 lakh for coastal relocation is inadequate. Government should give them land and house. Another complaint is that there is discrimination in education and vocational training centers for minorities. While there are 12 such coaching centers in Malappuram, there is only one in Eratupetta in Kottayam.