Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), the watchdog NGO working for the rights of Scheduled Castes people, made a tweed in this regard, citing a communication from the Principal Secretary (Social Welfare), Government of Andhra Pradesh, to the National SC Commission.
Nijam Today has accessed a copy of the letter from the Government of Andhra Pradesh to the National SC Commission in which the Principal Secretary (Social Welfare) of Andhra Pradesh informed the Commission that they have shared district-wise data of pastors who availed of one-time assistance with respective district collectors (erstwhile districts) and asked them to verify the genuineness of the caste of beneficiaries case by case and submit the reports to District Level Scrutiny Committee for cancellation of SC certificates.
The letter also states that the Director of Social Welfare has requested all the District Collectors and the Managing Directors of the AP Christian Minority Corporation to submit a detailed and factual report regarding the allegations made by the Legal Rights Protection Forum, and the reports are awaited.
The letter also quoted another report in which the Director of Social Welfare stated that the final report would be submitted to the government soon after receiving the report from the District Collectors.
BREAKING: "We will take strict action against Pastors who are holding SC caste certificates and availed a one-time assistance of 5K from state government during Covid-19 pandemic": Principal Secretary (Social Welfare – Govt of AP) informed National SC Commission. +1 https://t.co/RRKjV79dQO
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) April 4, 2023
In 2019, the government of Andhra Pradesh made a single-time payment to religious workers such as Pastors, Imams and Archaks, each Rs 5000 through the disaster management fund.
In September 2020, the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) stated that it had found 70% of 29,841 Christian pastors who received one-time assistance of rupees five thousand from the Andhra Pradesh government through ‘The Disaster Relief Fund’ are holding Hindu SC/OBC Caste Certificates. Subsequently, LRPF submitted a petition to the National SC Commission demanding action against the large-scale misuse of SC status by converted Christians and called it a state-assisted incentive to convert to Christianity.
Andhra Pradesh: We found that 70 % of 29,841 Christian pastors who received one-time honorarium of Rs. 5K through 'Disaster Relief Fund' are holding Hindu SC/OBC Caste Certificates.
Wrote to National SC & BC commissions on this state assisted incentive to convert to Christianity— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) September 10, 2020
#Breaking
Following our representation based on data provide by LRPF @lawinforce, the National Scheduled Castes Commission issued notice to Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh seeking action taken report within 15 days in the matter of Christian Conversions targeting SC community https://t.co/qFchvG4INE pic.twitter.com/JPns90Lchr— SC ST RIGHTS FORUM (@SCSTForum) July 20, 2021
On 12th August 2021, a memo was issued by the Deputy Director of the Social Welfare Department to Assistant Social Welfare Officers allocated to different revenue divisions to conduct field surveys and furnish the following information within five working days:
2. Number of Churches in each Municipality/Mandal.
3. Visit SC colonies and observe if they practise Hinduism or Christianity.
Following our report to National SC Commission on Large Scale Christian Conversions targeting SCs in Andhra Pradesh & thereby a notice issued by @NCSC_GOI to AP Chief Secretary for action, Govt of AP has reportedly started survey regarding SC & Christian Population in state(1/2) https://t.co/mmxKVWKTA6 pic.twitter.com/gtmkPl4kbs
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) August 14, 2021
Meanwhile, the LRPF continuously followed up with the National SC Commission seeking comprehensive action, resulting in this latest development.
(With the inputs received from Legal Rights Protection Forum).
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