Memorandum To The Political Parties by Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches

Memorandum To The Political Parties By Andhra Pradesh Federation Of Churches
SECUNDERABAD, India, MAR. 20, 2009, 15.35 Hrs:
The Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC), which is a representative body of the Christian Minority in the State consisting of the Bishops and Heads of Churches and Denominations, places before you the following issues and demands of the Christian Minority requesting you to include them in the election manifesto of your Party and work for their realization: 1. At least one Assembly seat in each district and one Lok Saba seat in each region of the State must be given to the Christian Minority to contest in the ensuing elections. 2. Introduce an amendment bill in the Parliament to extend SC status to the Dalit Christians by getting the unconstitutional and discriminatory Para 3 of Constitution (Presidential) Order 19 of 1950 deleted. 3. Remove the ban on the propagation of Faiths imposed by Act No. 24 of 2007 promulgated on 13-08-2007 and the related G.O. Ms. No: 746 and G.O. Ms. No: 747 both dated 02-06-2007 issued by Revenue (Endowments III) Department in 20 temple towns in the State, as these G.Os jeopardize the fundamental rights of all Non-Hindu citizens and provoke many attacks on the pastors and Christians. 4. To stop the increasing attacks on the Christians in the State and also our visiting guests from abroad, the extremist communal groups like the Bajrang Dal and the groups behind the murders of pastors must be banned, and communal organisations be checked and brought to book whenever they commit atrocities or wage hate campaign. To curb continuing violence on the Minorities, “Prevention of Minorities Atrocities Act” may be enacted in line with the “Prevention of SC ST Atrocities Act, 1989”. Immediately arrest and prosecute through Special Courts, the culprits responsible for the present atrocities on Christians in various States. Set up a 24-Hour toll free Help Line to the Minorities to call the Police and other authorities. Institute a high level judicial Commission to inquire into the violence on Christians in Orissa, Karnataka, A.P. and other States to bring the culprits to the book. 5. As most of the Christians are backward, at least 25% of the welfare schemes, educational loans and scholarships, housing, land distribution, other developmental programmes under the Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme and state budget of the Minority Welfare Department be allocated to them. Adequate funds must be given to the “A.P. State Christian Minority Development and Finance Corporation” to ensure these benefits to the Christians. 6. Representations to the Christians be given in the various legislative and administrative bodies from the local to national levels, and in different Commissions / Boards, by way of election and / or nomination to bring about the political empowerment of the Christian Minority. 7. Allot lands for the construction of churches, community halls, education institutions and Christian burial grounds wherever the Christian communities request for them. 8. As directed by the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), Church-run Educational Institutions be given Minority Status Certificates on a permanent basis without insisting on the percentage of intake of students, with a condition that no qualified Christian student is denied admission. An Act by name “A.P. Minority Educational Act” be enacted to avoid unnecessary harassment and difficulties in interpreting the Rules and Regulations applicable to Private Managements vis-à-vis the Minority Educational Institutions which have special status under Article 30 (1) of the Constitution. 9. Permission be given to the Church-run Educational Institutions to fill up vacant aided posts pending from 2003 and grant-in-aid be continued at least for the existing sanctioned posts without abolishing them at the retirement of the incumbents. Grant-in-aid be given to the Church-run Minority Educational Institutions through the Minority Welfare Department with funds drawn from various schemes / agencies like the Sarva Siksha Abiyan as it is being given to the Madarsas. 10. Exemption must be given from the payment of Property Tax and electricity tariffs on the churches buildings and the Church-run Educational and Welfare Institutions as they are charitable in nature. 11. Protect and retrieve the alienated Church properties by a special court / tribunal. Avoid interference in the management of Church properties and do not attempt to set up a Property Board to exercise control over them. The APFC urges your Party to uphold the national values of secularism, pluralism and communal harmony, to strive for social justice and equality of the marginalized groups, to ensure basic human rights of food, shelter, health, education and employment, and to promote the Minority Rights.
With best wishes to your Party in the ensuing elections,ANDHRA PRADESH FEDERATION OF CHURCHESSecunderabad – March 12, 2009.Fr Dr Anthoniraj ThummaExecutive Secretary, A.P. Federation of Churches
Source: http://www.cbcisite.com/cbcinews2753.htm