Christian delegation meets new Minority Affairs Minister

The Christian community today asked the Union government to intervene decisively in Orissa and ensure the protection of witnesses whose lives are being threatened by criminals, including politicians and legislators of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) charged with multiple murders in the anti-Christian violence of August-October 2008.

Community representatives were on June 29 invited to the offices of the new Central Minister for Minority Affairs, Mr. Salman Khursheed, to brief him on issues confronting the 2.6 crore [26 million] Christians in the country.

The Christian delegation included: Delhi Catholic auxiliary Bishop Franco, Believers Church Bishop Simon John, All India Christian Council Secretary General Dr. John Dayal, Sister Molly of St. Beads College in Shimla, and others.

The Christian delegation demanded that the community be consulted in the formulation of the proposed Equal Opportunities Commission, the Anti-Communal Violence Bill, and the educational reforms that Union Human Resources Development minister Kapil Sibal proposed in recent public statements.

The delegation also emphasised the urgent need to give Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians, establishing a commission to assess economic deprivation in the community along the lines of the Justice Sachhar Committee for Muslims, commensurate share in central development funds, full relief and rehabilitation to all victims of communal violence in Orissa and other states, abrogation of so-called Freedom of Religion laws passed by both BJP and Congress ruled states, and an end to harassment of Christian educational institutions, pastors, evangelists in various states.

Dr. John Dayal, aicc Secretary General, said, "We are pleased the new Minister of Minority Affairs is actively seeking input from all minority communities. As Christians, we asked for special attention to historic injustices like discrimination against Dalit Christians as well as recent injustices including the anti-Christian riots in Orissa. We desire peace and trust this government will enforce the rule of law across our beloved country."

The Minister has promised to take up the issues presented with relevant ministries in the Union government and state governments.