KRLCC Condemns NCBC Chairman’s Remark on Religion-Based Reservation

Thiruvananthapuram, November 1, 2025:

The Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) has strongly criticised the statement made by Hansraj Ahir, Chairman of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), claiming that Muslims and Christians in Kerala benefit from communal reservation based on religion.

In a statement issued on Saturday, KRLCC Vice President and spokesperson for the Latin community, Joseph Jude, described the remark as “condemnable” and “factually incorrect.” He clarified that India’s Constitution does not provide for reservation on religious grounds.

Citing Articles 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution, Jude explained that communal reservation was instituted to ensure adequate representation and justice for socially and educationally backward classes who have not achieved proportional representation in education and employment. “Reservation is granted to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) based on social and educational criteria, not religion,” he emphasised.

Elaborating on the situation in Kerala, Jude pointed out that the state’s Christian community comprises both forward and backward groups, including Dalit and Adivasi Christians. “Forward Christians do not have any communal reservation; they are only entitled to the EWS (Economically Weaker Section) category. Adivasi Christians receive ST reservation, while other backward Christians come under the OBC category,” he said.

He further noted that the matter of granting Scheduled Caste (SC) status to Dalit Christians is currently being heard by the Supreme Court of India.

Jude stated that this pattern of classification is followed not only in Kerala but also across other Indian states and in the central government. “All communities, irrespective of religion, receive communal reservation based on social and educational backwardness. Therefore, it is difficult to believe that the Chairman of the NCBC is unaware of these basic facts,” he remarked. “There is reason to suspect that there may be other motives behind such a misleading statement.”

Highlighting Kerala’s long history of affirmative action, Jude reminded that reservation for backward communities existed in the state even before India’s independence, achieved through the struggles and movements of marginalised groups.

“Those who occupy constitutional positions must remain steadfast in upholding the values of the Constitution,” he asserted, calling for responsibility and restraint from individuals in positions of authority.

By Joseph Jude

Spokesperson, Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC)

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