The Justice J. B. Koshy Commission Report may rightly be described as a Magna Carta for the holistic upliftment of the converted Christian community in Kerala. For, until now, no government had taken effective steps either to hear or to address the numerous issues faced by this community. The report, however, deals extensively with their diverse problems and proposes concrete solutions. Since this matter falls under Section C, Question Two of the Terms of Reference, it has been treated as a separate chapter in the report.
The Commission observes, citing Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, that the denial of Scheduled Caste reservation to converted Christians amounts to religious discrimination. It recommends that such reservation be granted. While reservation falls under central legislation, the Commission also urges the State Government to take all possible measures in matters concerning employment, welfare, and economic upliftment of converted Christians. It acknowledges the absence of reliable population data regarding this group and recommends a proper census. It estimates that the population may range between 3% and 6% (10–20 lakhs) and suggests that reservation quotas in welfare, economic, and social schemes be fixed-and increased-in proportion to their population after such enumeration. It also recommends the establishment of a separate commission for converted Christians, on the model of the Backward Classes Commission.
Further recommendations include revising the PSC rotation system to ensure adequate representation, conducting special recruitment drives in government services, and correcting anomalies in existing educational reservations, where SIUC categories have been included improperly. The Commission also calls for increasing the fund allocation of the Converted Christians Corporation headquartered in Kottayam, providing low-interest loans, enhancing student scholarships, offering business loans, opening a regional office in Kannur, and reserving 85% of the Corporation’s funds exclusively for converted Christians.
The report recommends restoring e-grants for students admitted under community quota and resolving issues related to stipends and lump-sum grants for students in self-financing institutions by withdrawing the State Government’s appeal in the Supreme Court. It further proposes the establishment of special training centers for skill development, professional courses, and competitive examinations such as PSC and UPSC for converted Christian youth and students.
Additional recommendations include reservation in LIFE housing schemes, financial assistance for house construction, land purchase, and maintenance, and allocation of special funds in local self-government institutions, similar to those provided for Scheduled Castes. The appointment of promoters, increased scholarships, provision of study materials, reservation in management quota seats, and representation in the State Minority Commission are also suggested. Finally, the Commission recommends revisiting and redefining the classification of converted Christians as stated in the Justice Kumarapillai Commission Report (1956, para 25).
Dr. Sijo Jacob
President, DCMS, Archeparchy of Changanacherry
