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All India Christian Council thanks the political parties for their support to Dalit Christians |
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Written by Correspondent
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Thursday, 27 August 2009 |
 [The following is the text of the Statement issued by Dr. Sam Paul, National Secretary, All India Christian Council (aicc), Rev Dr. G. Samuel, National Vice President, aicc, Dr. Joseph Suppogu, State President, aicc, Mr. K. Prabhu Kumar, State Secretary General, aicc]
HYDERABAD, AUGUST 27, 2009
The All India Christian Council welcomes the Resolution of AP Assembly to the Centre to amend the Constitution to extend Scheduled Castes Status to the Dalit Christians and Dalit Muslims. The Council thanks the Chief Minister for moving the resolution and the leader of opposition Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu for supporting the same.
The Council in a letter to Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy mentioned that this resolution is an undoing of a historical error on the Dalits and on their freedom of choice and conscience.
Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal had moved a Private Members bill on 22 March 2005 (and again recently ) in the Parliament. He said: “ I have personally seen the living conditions of Dalit Christians in various villages in my Parliamentary constituency and in spite of several years of Independence, they are still living in temporary hutments as daily wage farm labourers. The situation is such that unless both the wife and husband work they cannot meet the both ends and the earnings are just enough to feed their family with low nutrition food. Hence, I feel Dalits who practise their own faith of worship which could include Christianity, Islam should also be treated as Dalits with full benefits that come under Scheduled Castes category. “
In the definition of the United Nations the suggested description of a Dalit is, a person facing a “descent” and “work based” discrimination. This truly applies to the Dalits that adopt Christianity or Islam as much as those Dalits following other faiths.
The Council and its District Presidents of all the Districts of A.P. along with all the denominations that are members, profusely thank the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Dr. YS Rajasekhar Reddy, for introducing the resolution and the leader of the opposition Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu, Praja Rajyam President K. Chiranjeevi, Telangana Rashtra Samiti floor leader E. Rajender, CPI (M) member Julakanti Ranga Reddy and CPI member Sambasiva Rao, who supported the resolution of the Government. Lok Satta party chief Mr. Jaiprakash Narain, is however sadly ill- informed and had made untrue and provocative statements against the wishes of the Dalit leaders around the state.
The All India Christian Council (www.aiccindia.org), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.
For further information please contact: Rev. Satyam Y, aicc ap Cooridnator on 9866182515 |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 28 August 2009 )
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