The Assembly on Wednesday witnessed intense debate between Congress members and ruling AIADMK ministers on the issue of inclusion of dalit Christians in SC/ST category.
Speaking on the debate on demand for grants for backward classes and minorities department, Congress legislator John Jacob said the state government should take steps to include dalit Christians in SC/ST category.
CPI legislator Arumugam raised a point of order and said the decision should only be taken by the UPA in the Centre to which the member belonged.
At this juncture, Congress legislator Prince said the Centre is likely to implement it soon. “The Tamil Nadu government will have to clarify its stand as to whether it supports the issue or not,” he added.
Minister K.P. Munusamy said the member should not speak for sake of argument and added, “Not only the state government, but the whole of subcontinent will welcome once the bill is introduce in Parliament by the ruling UPA government.”
Minister C.Ve. Shanmugam said legislator Prince had been giving misleading information to the Assembly, as the bill is yet to be introduced in Parliament.
Speaker Jayakumar warned Prince of action for giving incorrect information to the House.