India's Parliament Gets Report Urging Delinking Scheduled Caste Status From Religion

In India on Friday, the Report of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities was finally submitted to Parliament. The report of the Commission that is headed by former India Supreme Court Justice Ranganath Misra was originally circulated two years ago, but then disappeared from public view. According to Indian Express, the report's recommendations include delinking Scheduled Caste status from religion and setting aside a 10% quota in educational institutions and government jobs for Muslims, along with 5% for other minorities. Currently Scheduled Caste status is available only to Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs. The report also calls for continuing Scheduled Caste status for Dalits who convert from Hinudism to other religions. The Times of India has details. The government today said it will examine the report "with all sincerity", but refused to commit to accepting its recommendations. (Times of India.)