India: Christians Demand a Place in Indian Society

Leaders from every Christian denomination signed a joint memorandum to be submitted to India's political parties.

NEW DELHI (AsiaNews) - On the day the Indian government announced the date for the next federal elections (from 16 April to 13 May) Indian Christians have spoken with single voice demanding political parties guarantee security for minorities across the country, ensure their participation in the election, defend religious freedom and not allow violence and discrimination to go unpunished.

All Christian denominations have signed a joint memorandum directed at political parties. They presented it today at a press conference chaired by Mgr Vincent Concessao, archbishop of New Delhi. Representatives of Evangelical, Pentecostal and other Protestant Churches were also present. Officials from organisations like the All India Catholic Union, the National Council of Churches in India and the All Indian Christian Council (AICC), were also represented.

"We are small in number, but we make an impact on the nation through services in education, social work and health, and as the voice of the marginalised and oppressed," the memorandum said.

In the document Christian leaders renew their "hope in the democratic process," as well as in India's plural and secular society as defined by the 1950 constitution.

They urge the "people, and specially Christians, to fully take part in the political democratic process, including exercising their voting rights in the coming general elections."

"Christian activists and NGOs must ensure that our names are listed in the electoral rolls". At the same time political parties should provide "adequate representation to our community in their selection of candidates."

The memorandum stressed that poverty and unemployment affect "all citizens, irrespective of their religion, caste or gender." Even more, "the crisis in rural India is monumental and demands urgent action."

The current global recession comes with a "social crisis" that is "no less grave." And "religious, caste and gender intolerance are manifestations of this."

For Christian leaders the upcoming elections are thus "an opportunity to halt the trend, and reverse the negativity."

Christian communities expect parties to enforce "the rule of law" and put to an end the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of anti-minority violence.

The authors of the memorandum complain that states, police and criminals, who through their actions endanger religious freedom, have been guaranteed impunity.

As evidence the statement lists the many episodes of violence inflicted upon Christians in Orissa and the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Madya Pradesh.

Christian leaders want the central and Orissa governments to respond to a situation of "deep insecurity." They demand an "end to the campaign of disinformation" by parties and the media. They want the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate "the assassination of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakhmanananda Saraswati" which set off "subsequent anti-Christian violence".

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For those people who are still displaced, living in relief camps in Kandhamal, the authors of the document want "an adequate standard of living," as well as "education for displaced children".

They further demand that "relief camps continue until the establishment of suitable conditions [. . .] for displaced persons to return voluntarily, in safety and with dignity, to their homes, or to resettle voluntarily."

Likewise they want "compensation for those who have been affected by the violence, including covering the loss of crops, livestock and employment".

In light of the discrimination visited upon Christians the signatories of the memorandum call for the creation of a national commission of inquiry akin to the Rajinder Sachar Committee, which was set up in 2006 to look into the situation of the Muslim community.

This body should evaluate "economic and development issues of the Christian religious minority, especially amongst Dalits, Tribals, landless labourers and marginal farmers, coastal and fishery workers and urban youth".

For the authors of the memorandum, political parties should remember that the1950 constitution guaranteed every Dalit rights and privileges, which hitherto have been enjoyed only by those who are Sikh or Buddhist, at the exclusion of Christians.

They add that it is urgent to end discrimination against women, stressing that all the Churches have upheld the "sanctity of life" against "any attempt to destroy it at any stage."