Christians form political party "to fight for minorities"

Lack of Christian representation in national politics has always been a drawback to the Christian community. To tackle this, a group of Christians have initiated the formation of a political group, which they say, "will fight for the rights of religious minorities."

On November 1, Indian Minority Front was formed in New Delhi by a group of four Christians. Its founder Rajiv Joseph says, we will "fight for justice, not just ask and wait for it."

According to Joseph, the failure of political bodies in responding to the atrocities over Christians by Hindu hardliners led to the initiative.

Joseph, a member of the youth wing of the Congress party, said he projected his party as a response to inactiveness of political parties in assisting minorities.

The Indian Minority Front presently has over 500 members throughout India says Joseph.

The Christian politician also revealed his party's plans to organise a hunger strike in the capital on Nov. 14 to urge the government to take action against Hindu radical groups attacking Christians.

Although in the past there have been several Christian parties vying for political success, none have been recognised in the state or national level because of their poor electoral showing.

Some of them include Christian Democratic Front, Indian Christian Front, Indian Christian Secular Party, All India Christian Democratic and Backward People's Party,
Christhava Makkal Katchi (Christian children party) and Christian Munnetra Kazhgam (progressive party).