Announcement of separate Christian minority corporation has mixed response

The commitment of President of state JD(S) Merajuddin Patel at a function in Bangalore, promising separate exclusive Development Corporation for Christians, has caused displeasure among non Christian groups.

During a recent function organized by the Karnataka Christian Federation, Patel said, he was convinced that the Christian minorities in India need a separate Christian Minority Development Corporation.

He further said the present Karnataka Minority Development Corporation (KMDC) is not extending support to the Christian communities and hence there is a need of urging government to set an exclusive corporation for Christians.

Leaders in Muslim and Christian communities feel that KMDC would be just fine and there needs to be a balance when it comes to reaching the benefits under government schemes.

Anwar Manipaddy, the chairman of KMDC, said, he was not in favor for a split and a new development corporation for Christians. "There is rather a need for creating one more corporation for identifying beneficiaries under economic backwardness."

Francis Jackson, the president of Karnataka Christian Federation of Bangalore who is also the Bishop of Churches of South India said the KMDC has given much emphasis on other minorities while converted Dalit Christians have remained socially and economically bad. They even have not regained their privileges and benefits enjoyed as a Dalit before conversion, he asserted.