National Commission for Scheduled Castes directs States to grant Scheduled Caste status to rehabilitated Bengali people

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has taken cognizance of granting Scheduled Caste status to the Namashudra, Paundra and Rajvanshi sub-castes of the rehabilitated Bengali society. On the directions of Chairman (in-charge) Shri Arun Haldar, the Commission has issued a notice to the concerned states and sought information about the entire matter.

Today, a delegation of Nikhil Bharat Bengali Samanway Samiti approached and met the Chairman (in charge) Shri Arun Haldar. The Samiti informed the Chairman (in charge) that due to not getting Scheduled Caste status, caste certificates of the people of this community are not being made, due to which they have to face many problems.

Chairman (in-charge) Shri Arun Haldar said the people who came from East Pakistan in 1947 were rehabilitated in 18 States by the Government of India since 1960. In 8 states, Namashudra, Paundra and Rajvanshi sub-castes of Bengali society got the status of Scheduled Caste, but in Delhi, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Karnataka, they still do not have the status of Scheduled Caste.

The chairman (in charge) said that all these rehabilitated people have been fighting for their rights for a long time. He said notice has been issued to the concerned state governments. However, the Uttar Pradesh government has passed a bill in the Assembly to give them Scheduled Caste status. Now it is pending with the Central Government. The Commission will take action under Article 338 of the Constitution of India to grant them Scheduled Caste status.

Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.