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.
Ministries
Christian delegation meets new Minority Affairs Minister
Saturday, 4 July 2009, 16:48 (IST)
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Added: Sunday, 5 July 2009, 8:56 (IST)
It is unfortunate that the important ecumenical body NCCI is not in the delegation I wonder is it a deliberate delegation?!. Can we consider and call this as a Christian Delegation? It is not just NCCI as organisation or institution but 13 million Christians are neglected in this delegation. Every one knows that NCCI involves in Kandhamal issue from the beginning and still it involves in reconstruction and reconciliation. Even on the 04th June 2009, the NCCI General Secretary Bishop. D. K. Sahu met the hon'ble Orissa Chief Minster and sought the Orissa Govt to assure the peaceful living and rehabilitation work. And NCC is bringing a book on Kandhamal Issue. But still NCCI is neglected, Why? For information, 'The NCCI is the united expression of the Protestant and Orthodox churches in India. It is a common platform for thought and action by bringing together the Churches and other Christian organizations for mutual consultation, assistance and action in all matters related to life and witness'. It represents 13 million Christian people through out the country. Ever since its inception the Council and its members are actively engaged in the work of nation building. It is an Inter confessional autonomous Council which embraces, promotes and coordinates the various forms of the church's ministry for the people including the churches and Christian organizations such as National Council of YMCAs, YWCA of India, Henry Martyn Institute, International Centre for Research, Interfaith Relations and Reconciliation, Churches Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), Student Christian Movement of India (SCMI), Bible Society of India (BSI). URL www.nccindia.in R. Christopher Rajkumar
R. Christopher Rajkumar, Nagpur
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