SEWA NYAYA UTTHAN FOUNDATION
Service. Justice. Inclusion
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated an inquiry and issued a notice to the District Magistrate of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, seeking an Action Taken Report (ATR) on a complaint filed by Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation (SNU) regarding the alleged misuse of Scheduled Caste reservation benefits in the district.
The complaint, submitted by the SC/ST Cell of Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation, alleged that certain persons belonging to the Pasi Scheduled Caste community in Village Salempur Bangar, Moradabad, are professing Christianity while continuing to avail themselves of Scheduled Caste reservation benefits.
According to the complaint, if the allegations are found to be true upon verification, such conduct would be contrary to Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which restrict Scheduled Caste status to Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh religious communities.
Taking cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the Bench of the NHRC, presided over by Member Shri Priyank Kanoongo, observed that the allegations prima facie disclose a possible violation of the human rights of genuine Scheduled Caste beneficiaries.
The Commission has directed the District Magistrate, Moradabad, to conduct an inquiry into the allegations, verify the facts through the concerned authorities, and submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks.
