Sept. 14: Pushing for the long-felt demand of dalit Christians in the country to extend benefits given to their brethren in the Hindu fold, IAS officer C. Umashankar said change of religion does not lift the social status of a dalit. Speaking to reporters in Tirunelveli on Tuesday, the TANSI managing director asserted that he has been a Christian for the past two years.

“However, while joining the service, I was a dalit Hindu,” said the IAS officer, who advised dalits willing to go out of the Hindu fold, that “promotes untouchability”, to do so but be careful that they not mention it in their certificates. “Be baptised but don’t get the certificate. Go to churches of your choice but don’t sign in the church records,” suggested Mr Umashankar, calling for a change in the Constitution to extend benefits to dalits who are not Hindus.

The government had initiated investigation against the officer, known for his honesty and integrity, accusing him of fudging his SC certificate to get into the IAS. Mr Umashankar, who said he would visit all leaders including AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa in his fight against the government’s alleged injustice, asserted, “No one can stop me visiting her as it is my right.” However, he clarified that he should not be portrayed as anti-DMK and added that he would “not succumb to anybody’s political games”.

“I will not confine myself to the dalit community but, as usual, will work for the people of Tamil Nadu, especially the poor from all communities,” he added. Regretting that IAS and IPS officers’ associations did not voice their protest against the injustice meted out to him when all of Tamil Nadu was against his suspension, the TANSI managing director cynically stated, “I may be out of the IAS circle. I don’t know.”