Andhra Christians meet chief minister, reiterates demand for SC status

A set of demands calling for action was enumerated in a memorandum submitted to Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajashekara Reddy on Saturday.

Church representatives of various denominations, under the banner of Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC), felicitated the chief minister for assuming office for a second term and said the new government must act on the unfulfilled promises of issues pertaining to the Christian community.

The delegation of 40 with the Bishops led by Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad, urged the chief minister to push for SC status to Dalit Christians who have been deprived of their rights.

Also calling for attention was the allotment of government land for setting up of a Christian finance corporation and a community center. Additionally, lifting of ban on control over vacant posts and promotions in Christian minority schools; allocation of more funds to the Christian finance corporation and the due share of Prime Minister's 15-point programme for the welfare and empowerment of minorities.

In the memoranda, the chief minister was also asked to expunge Government Orders 746 and 747 that bans propagation of any religion other than Hinduism in Tirupati and other specified temple areas. Several occasions the GO's have been used to attack Christians on false charges.

Demands were also made for the passing of a Bill that prohibits lease or sale of properties of Christian missionaries or educational institutions in the state.

Meanwhile, responding to the pleas, the Christian chief minister said, he would take up the issue of Dalit Christians with the Central Government especially with the Union Ministers for Law and Justice. He even agreed to lead a state delegation of Church leaders to the Centre.

Those in the delegation that met with the chief minister include: Catholic Bishop Thumma Bala of Warangal, Methodist Bishop Manilal V. Kristie of Hyderabad, Rev. Dr. B. Sunil Bhanu, President of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Rev. Dr. Ch. John, President of Central Union of Seventh Day Adventist Church.