A formal complaint has been filed against VM Thomas, the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing Gangadhara Nellore constituency in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, accusing him of misusing his Scheduled Caste (SC) status. The SC ST Rights Forum, a non-governmental organization, submitted the complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh, alleging that Thomas contested from a reserved SC constituency despite being a Christian, which violates the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950.
According to the complaint, VM Thomas was elected in the 2024 General Elections from the SC-reserved Gangadhara Nellore constituency. However, during a recent visit to the Tirumala temple, Thomas reportedly signed a declaration identifying himself as a Christian, while also expressing respect for Hindu beliefs. This declaration, reported by Zee Telugu and Andhra Watch, has raised questions about his eligibility to hold an SC certificate.
The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950 clearly states that individuals who convert to Christianity or Islam are no longer eligible for SC status. The SC ST Rights Forum contends that Thomas concealed his religious identity to contest the election in an SC-reserved constituency, thereby misusing reservation benefits meant for the upliftment of the SC community.
The organization has urged the Chief Electoral Officer to direct the District Collector of Chittoor to launch an inquiry into the matter and refer it to the District Level Scrutiny Committee for further investigation. The complaint calls for a thorough probe to determine if Thomas is ineligible for the SC certificate and whether any legal action should be pursued.
