BJP leaders oppose caste based classification in K’taka

Mysuru: BJP leaders and a section of activists opposed the division of Christians on caste lines. They demanded internal reservation for them in the 2B category instead of the current classification under the 3B category, which provides reservation based on the economic condition of the beneficiaries.The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes launched a statewide socio-educational survey. As per the questionnaire released for the survey, Christians are divided into 52 castes.Dr Anil Thomas, BJP Minority Morcha president, stated that there are no castes in Christianity. "Our demand is internal reservation in the 2B category where currently 4% reservation is provided exclusively for Muslims," he said."Christians are currently kept in the 3B category with other religions and castes. The benefits of which, is hardly reaching the community," he said."If the state govt is reluctant to continue with the division of the religion, they can have only two categories; i.e. Christians who have religious certificates and those who were converted without a valid certificate, but with a caste certificate," he said."52 castes have been listed under the Christian category. There are no castes in our religion. This caste division will send a wrong message to the society," he alleged.Activist TJ Abraham also echoed a similar opinion. "There is no caste in Christianity. Issuing caste certificates to Christians is not correct," he said."The state govt should not proceed with the caste-wise classification," he urged.BoxMeanwhile, ASHA workers demand an increase in the honorarium for the survey work. "We want the state govt—the Backward Classes Commission—to fix the honorarium at Rs 5,000 in rural areas and Rs 10,000 in urban areas," urged State Composite ASHA workers federation president K Somashekhara Yadagiri and Mysuru president Sandhya PS. They also urged the release of the previous unpaid honorariums fixed for other surveys.