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Church wants nominee on minority commission

Saji Thomas, Bhopal

Saji Thomas, Bhopal

Updated: August 24, 2010 09:23 AM GMT
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Bishops meet with Shivraj Singh Chauhan to discuss grievances
Bishops meet with Shivraj Singh Chauhan to discuss grievances
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Christians continue to press the Madhya Pradesh government to let them have a greater role in selecting the Christian member of the state minority commission. A four-member delegation, headed by Church’s spokesperson Father Anand Muttungal, met Sushma Swaraj, a senior leader of pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party that runs the state government. The delegation in a Aug. 21 memorandum sought Swaraj’s support for inducting a Church nominee as member of state minority commission. The commission is designed to protect the interest of religious minorities in the state. But Christian leaders say its Christian member, appointed by the government, pays no attention to their interests. The Christians represent less than one percent of the 60 million population. Other minorities include Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. Each religion has a member representing it in the commission, who is often picked for political considerations. “Unless the government consults the Church before appointing the Christian member, the commission cannot reflect the aspirations of the Christians,” Father Muttungal told ucanews.com. He said state’s bishops raised the issue in talks with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Aug. 12. Father Muttungal said Swaraj, who is also leader of the opposition in parliament, was “very courteous and agreed to take up” the issue with Chauhan. The memorandum to Swaraj also demanded protection to the Christians from attacks by fanatics. Christian leaders say Hindu fundamentalist attacks have increased since BJP came to power in December 2003. Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal said it is important to have a Church nominee as the member of the minority panel. “Since we don’t have our nominee there, our voice is not heard and in certain cases the member even acts against the interest of the community,” he added. The Church leaders also suggested state may pick up one person among a panel of three it puts forward. Related reports Christians Protest Arson Attack On Central Indian Cathedral Nuns Adopt State Chief Minister As ´Brother´ To Help Protect Christians IC10937.1616

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