Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Legislative Council member Shantaram Siddi on Tuesday, 16 June demanded that tribal community members who have converted to other religions be struck off the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list, arguing that genuine indigenous communities are losing out on welfare benefits as a result. Siddi made the remarks at a press conference in Bengaluru.

The Core Demand

Siddi cited figures suggesting there are approximately 12 crore tribal people across India, of whom an estimated 1–2 crore have converted to other religions. He alleged that a disproportionate share of welfare allocations meant for tribal communities is being accessed by converted members.

'In some places, these individuals are allegedly taking advantage of benefits available both as Scheduled Tribes and through the religion they have converted to, thereby misusing the system,' he claimed. He was careful to frame the demand as a welfare-access issue rather than a religious one.

National Convention and Presidential Memorandum

Siddi pointed to a large national convention recently organised in New Delhi by the Janjati Suraksha Vedike (Tribal Protection Forum) as evidence of growing momentum behind the cause. Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the event, after which a memorandum was formally submitted to the President of India.

'We are not opposed to any religion or faith. However, our clear stand is that those who have converted to another religion should not continue to receive government benefits meant for the original tribal communities,' Siddi said.

BJP's Position on Welfare Exclusivity

The demand echoes a long-standing position held by sections of the BJP and affiliated organisations — that ST reservations were designed for communities defined by their distinct cultural and social identity, and that religious conversion alters that identity in ways relevant to eligibility. Critics, however, argue that such a move could disenfranchise lakhs of people who remain socially and economically marginalised regardless of their faith.

Notably, the question of whether religious conversion should affect SC/ST reservation eligibility has been debated in Indian courts and Parliament for decades, with no legislative resolution so far.

Siddi's Rebuttal on RSS Remarks

At the same press conference, Siddi responded sharply to a letter from Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge that raised questions about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He questioned Kharge's authority to comment on the organisation.

'Even those who regularly attend RSS shakhas may not claim to understand the organisation completely. Then how can Priyank Kharge be expected to know everything about it?' he remarked. Siddi described the RSS as an 'open book' whose activities take place 'openly in public grounds,' adding that questions about finances within the organisation 'do not arise' given its character-building focus.

What Comes Next

With the memorandum already submitted to the President, the demand is now formally on record at the highest constitutional level. Whether the Centre acts on it — or whether it becomes a flashpoint in Karnataka's already charged political climate — will depend on how the ruling dispensation responds in the weeks ahead.