Church bodies mobilize to draft its concerns before election

The country's top Christian bodies yesterday assembled at the capital to discuss the issues concerning the Christian community on the eve of the upcoming 2009 General Elections.

Representatives of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), National Council of Churches, the Syrian Malankara Church, All India Christian Council and lay experts from Delhi and other states were part of the National Consultations held on February 23, chaired by Archbishop Vincent Concessao.

The Christians agreed to prepare a working paper for political parties, describing the various concerns of the Church, which must be part of the election agendas and manifestos.

Reaffirming its strong commitment to Secularism and Democracy in India, the Christian leaders set clear that it will not "support those who divide, who kill, rape and maim, cheat and otherwise disregard any morality in politics."

The draft copy which will also will be handed out to various political parties upon its completition, mentioned its primary concerns as: Security of Religious Minorities, Ending Impunity of state Police and criminal justice dispensation system, Erosion of Minority rights under Article 30, Shrinking Secular-Spiritual Space, Dalit Christian Rights, Assault on right of Tribal Christians, Irrational and Bigoted implementation of Forest Act and its implications for Dalit Christians.

It also included the need to "Redress Economic deprivation and reversal of Unemployment and under-employment among Christian youth." They noted that there is over 8 per cent joblessness amongst Christian youth, the highest among minorities. Tribal Christian girls are among the most deprived in terms of education and nourishment.

"Political parties must assure that Government will urgently set up a Commission to survey and assess the quantum of deprivation, marginalisation and lack of devolution of developmental initiatives, to the Christian community," they demanded.

They also urged the ending of gender-bias and "upholding the rights of women in reforms in Christian Personal Laws."

John Dayal, secretary general of the All India Christian Council, said the church strongly supports "morality, equality, affirmative action, human rights,civil liberties, and above all, the dignity of Man and Woman," adding that it will not be seen as "tied to the apron string of any one party."