Stand with Muslims on Waqf Issue - Christian MPs tell Church Body
According to reports, Christian MPs informed the Catholic Bishops' Conference of india (CBCI) during a conference in the nation's capital that the Christian community should adopt an in-principle stance against the Waqf Bill since it impacts the constitutionally guaranteed rights of minorities.
On december 3, the indian Catholic apex organization, CBCI, convened a conference of all Christian Members of Parliament. About 20 MPs attended the meeting, the majority of them were from opposing parties.
According to a source who attended the meeting, union minister of State George Kurian came later, but other MPs who attended included TMC's parliamentary party leader Derek O'Brien, congress MPs Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, and Anto Antony, and cpi (M) mp John Brittas.
The summit, the first of its kind in decades, was presided over by Archbishop Andrews, head of CBCI.
Christian MPs' support and protection of the community and its rights, the rise in threats and assaults against minorities, particularly Christians, and the abuse of the FCRA to target Christian institutions were among the topics on the agenda.
A prominent opposition mp, according to the source, recommended that the community leadership accentuate "positive points, the important role being played by the community today" and "not just be only reactive to negative news."
It was suggested that the public and government be informed that three out of four pupils at Christian schools actually come from distinct communities.
"Photo ops" must end, according to one mp, who also emphadata-sized that Christian leaders must step up and "call out those who are not protecting the Constitution."
Several opposition MPs voiced significant concerns to certain parts of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is now being considered by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), according to another mp who attended the meeting.
The Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards now have non-Muslim members, among other modifications brought about by the Bill.
The elimination of seats for Anglo indians (all Christians) in the lok sabha and 10 state assemblies, as well as the targeting and cancellation of some Christian organizations' Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licenses in recent years, were also brought up, according to another Kerela mp who spoke to PTI.
"The MPs harshly criticized the church leadership's management of its ties with the government since 2014, despite the friendly setting of the meeting. Even one mp said it was becoming 'transactional,' a politician who was there told PTI.
According to the source, the majority of opposition MPs had finished speaking by the time Kurien, a bjp leader and Union minister, arrived. Two Christian members of the bjp were not present.
According to the source, at least two MPs raised the topic of the BJP's suresh Gopi winning the thrissur lok sabha poll.
On december 3, the indian Catholic apex organization, CBCI, convened a conference of all Christian Members of Parliament. About 20 MPs attended the meeting, the majority of them were from opposing parties.
According to a source who attended the meeting, union minister of State George Kurian came later, but other MPs who attended included TMC's parliamentary party leader Derek O'Brien, congress MPs Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, and Anto Antony, and cpi (M) mp John Brittas.
The summit, the first of its kind in decades, was presided over by Archbishop Andrews, head of CBCI.
Christian MPs' support and protection of the community and its rights, the rise in threats and assaults against minorities, particularly Christians, and the abuse of the FCRA to target Christian institutions were among the topics on the agenda.
A prominent opposition mp, according to the source, recommended that the community leadership accentuate "positive points, the important role being played by the community today" and "not just be only reactive to negative news."
It was suggested that the public and government be informed that three out of four pupils at Christian schools actually come from distinct communities.
"Photo ops" must end, according to one mp, who also emphadata-sized that Christian leaders must step up and "call out those who are not protecting the Constitution."
Several opposition MPs voiced significant concerns to certain parts of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is now being considered by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), according to another mp who attended the meeting.
The Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards now have non-Muslim members, among other modifications brought about by the Bill.
The elimination of seats for Anglo indians (all Christians) in the lok sabha and 10 state assemblies, as well as the targeting and cancellation of some Christian organizations' Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licenses in recent years, were also brought up, according to another Kerela mp who spoke to PTI.
"The MPs harshly criticized the church leadership's management of its ties with the government since 2014, despite the friendly setting of the meeting. Even one mp said it was becoming 'transactional,' a politician who was there told PTI.
According to the source, the majority of opposition MPs had finished speaking by the time Kurien, a bjp leader and Union minister, arrived. Two Christian members of the bjp were not present.
According to the source, at least two MPs raised the topic of the BJP's suresh Gopi winning the thrissur lok sabha poll.