New Delhi, Feb 18 (PTI) Agitated over delay in government's

reply to a petition challenging the validity of Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, Dalit Christian organisations today launched "One Million Postcard" campaign to put pressure on the Centre to act soon. The Constitution (SCs) Order, 1950 lists 1,108 castes across 25 states which are benefited by reservation policy. Seminaries and activists, led by Catholic Bishop's Conference of India (CBCI), also asked the UPA government not to delay the matter. "The Civil Writ Petition no. 180/2004, challenging the validity of Constitution (Scheduled Caste) Order 1950, para 3 which says 'no person who professes a religion different from Hinduism shall be deemed to be a member of the Scheduled Caste', is pending in the Supreme Court for eight years," CBCI Chairperson Neethinathan said. The Government has not filed its reply to the apex court, he said, questioning as to why only SCs should lose their status after changing their religion when others like tribals can maintain theirs. During the campaign, everyday 100 postcards from various would be posted to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh from various parts of the country till the number touches one million, he said. Terming Congress as the biggest hurdle, National Council of Dalit Christians (NCDC) Chairman M Mary John said Christian community has always supported them (Congress) and despite this they are not replying or implementing recommendations of Ranganath Misra Commission report. The Commission had, in 2007, recommended 15 per cent quota in government services and educational institutions for backwards among the minorities. "A high level delegation will meet Sonia Gandhi in April, and then we will chalk out our next phase of movement," Neethinathan said.