'If you have converted to Christianity, write your identity as Christian': Siddaramaiah ahead of Karnataka Social & Educational Survey

Bengaluru: Taking a stand on religious conversions, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday those who have converted to Christianity should identify themselves as ‘Christians’ and suggested that they should not use the name of their original Hindu caste.

Siddaramaiah said this ahead of the crucial Social & Educational Survey starting September 22.

The Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes, which is conducting the survey, has listed at least 32 castes that contain dual identities like ‘Kuruba Christian’, ‘Brahmin Christian’, ‘Vokkaliga Christian’ and so on.

“Say, you converted to Christianity. You've become a Christian. So, you should write [your identity] as Christian,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked about such contentious nomenclatures.

Siddaramaiah specifically used the example of the 'Kuruba Christian' nomenclature. “If there's a Kuruba Christian, he will be a Christian...a converted Christian,” said Siddaramaiah, who belongs to the Kuruba caste himself.

When asked if the government will classify such people based on their caste or religion, Siddaramaiah said the Commission would decide. The Commission, he said, will submit its survey report by December.

At present, Christians in Karnataka come under OBC Category-3B with a 5% reservation. Scheduled Castes who have converted to Christianity are listed separately under Category-1 with a 4% reservation.

In the 2015 survey, the 'Adi Dravida Christians' formed the largest sub-caste under Christianity. Adi Dravida is a Scheduled Caste.

The BJP was quick to pick up Siddaramaiah's statement on the contentious matter.

"Your statement that those who convert to Christianity are Christians is a sham because the commission has allotted codes for nomenclatures containing the names of the original caste and their (Christian) religion," BJP's V Sunil Kumar told the CM.

"If such people will go on to claim benefits as backward classes and Scheduled Castes, it'll create further confusion and trouble," Kumar said, reiterating the BJP's demand that nomenclatures containing Hindu caste names must be removed from the Commission's list.

Commission chairperson Madusudhan R Naik acknowledged the problem around caste-based religious identities. "The Jayaprakash Hegde Commission (which analysed the 2015 survey) separated Christians from others during evaluation," Naik told reporters. "I can't comment now on what we'll do."

Naik specified that the Commission cannot remove any caste names from its list. "During the survey, we'll have to give an opportunity to all. If we remove castes from the list, there'll be confusion. Removals, inclusions or mergers will happen after the survey during evaluation by our experts," he said.