The demonstrators strongly urged upon the community to resist the perceived move of the Union government. But sources in Gomtinagar told Newsline that workers of the saffron brigade had mobilised the locals by saying the move will only dilute reservation benefits for Hindu Dalits.

“We organised this demonstration against the proposed move of the UPA government, which will be detrimental to our interests,” said Bhikhabhai Parmar, BJP ward president from Behrampura.

He, however, was quick to add that the Manch is an apolitical outfit and does not have anything to do with the saffron brigade.

“With general elections around the corner, this is just a vote bank gimmick of the UPA. We will not allow Muslim and Christian converts being put in the SC status,” said Nagin Makwana, president of Vadodara unit of the Manch.

“We don’t have any problem if the UPA extends them any other status except SC,” said Makwana.

He further alleged that Christian missionaries have an ulterior motive, and through their welfare works, are trying to convert tribals

The country, he said, will have serious problems if Muslims and Christians, who already enjoy minority status, were given SC status as well. “We also staged hallabol programmes against churches in several areas,” Makwana later told Newsline.

The move, however, has not gone down too well with a number of Dalit activists.

“The VHP and the saffron brigade is misguiding people and trying to pit Dalits against Christians and Muslims on the reservation issue,” said Vijay Parmar, state convener of National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR), Ahmedabad.

“The idea is to break the alliance of Dalits, Christians and Muslims and polarise the society for political gains,” he added.