THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Special recruitment to fill shortage of Christians, Nadars and converted Christians in government services, 3% reservation for Latin Catholics and Anglo-Indians in degree and postgraduate courses, increasing reservation to backward Christian communities in educational institutions to 6% and welfare fund for Sunday school teachers similar to the one for Madrasa teachers are some of the key recommendations of the JB Koshy Commission, set up to study the economic, educational and welfare issues of Christian minorities.
The commission has, in its report, observed that Dalit Christians have been facing major discrimination and hence they should be given all benefits enjoyed by the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. Though the commission report — accessed by TNIE — was submitted in 2023, the government has not yet officially released the recommendations. The report recommends a slew of measures to address the backwardness of Christian minorities and ensure better representation for those converted to Christianity from Dalit communities.
The commission has proposed to form a separate body to study representation for Latin Catholics and Dalit Christians in government jobs. With Assembly elections around the corner, the politically significant recommendations are sure to trigger a debate in the state.
Noting that backward Christian communities currently have 8% reservation in jobs but only 4% in education, the report recommended increasing the educational quota to 6%, distributed among LA/AI, Nadar, and SCCC (Scheduled Castes Converted to Christianity) groups in a 3:2:1 ratio. It also proposes a 20% community quota in all Christian minority institutions in the aided sector.
It further noted that a law similar to the Kerala Madrasa Teachers’ Welfare Fund Act should be introduced for teachers of Sunday Schools, Veda studies, and religious instructions, with the same government assistance extended to their welfare fund as well.
For self-financing medical, nursing, and paramedical colleges, the report suggests reserving 20% of government-allotted seats for community quota. The remaining 50% of seats should include 30% general community quota and 20% management quota for the founding community of the institution, with admissions based on merit.
Christians should receive proportionate representation in the Minority Welfare Department and its subordinate bodies, including the Minority Commission, Minority Development Finance Corporation, and Minority Welfare Committees, the report notes.
The report emphasises protecting religious sentiments, stating that legal action should follow any written complaints against films, publications, images, or writings that insult the Christian faith, practices, or leadership.
Key suggestions
Fill shortage of Christians, Nadars and converted Christians in government services through special recruitment
Dalit Christians should be given all benefits enjoyed by the Scheduled Caste (SC) community
Form a separate body to study representation of Latin Catholics and Dalit Christians in government jobs
A law similar to the Kerala Madrasa Teachers’ Welfare Fund Act should be introduced for teachers of Sunday Schools, Veda studies, and religious instructions, with the same government assistance extended to their welfare fund as well
Increase reservation for backward Christian communities in education from 4% to 6%, split 3:2:1 among LA/AI, Nadar, and SCCC groups
Raise welfare grants for orphanages to match the D1600 pension rate
Start new courses in minority colleges, especially in hilly and coastal areas
Ensure proportionate Christian representation in the Minority Welfare Department
Take legal action on written complaints about content insulting the Christian faith
In self-financing medical, nursing, and paramedical colleges: 20% of government seats for community quota. Of the remaining 50% seats: 30% general community quota + 20% management quota for the founding community, all merit-based
