Andhra Christian Leaders Seek TDP Support For Equal Rights For Dalit Christians

HYDERABAD, MAR. 27, 2008, 09.30 Hrs (CBCI News):

Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad, Vice-President of Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC) along with Fr. Anthoniraj Thumma, the Executive Secretary of APFC, and Sri T. Stanley Babu IRTS (Retd), presently Advisor to Govt. of A.P., met Sri N. Chandrababu Naidu, TDP (Telugu Desam Party) President on March 12, 2008, at Hyderabad.

The purpose of their visit was to obtain his recommendation letter to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for extending Scheduled Caste status to the Christians of S.C. origin.

Archbishop expressed his anguish of the prolonged and painful struggle of the Dalit Christians and the Church in India for equal rights to the Dalit Christians. He explained to the TDP President that the Ranganath Misra Commission and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) have recommended without any ambiguity to delete para 3 of the Constitution Order 1950 to make the Scheduled Caste status religion-neutral to remove the discrimination castes on the ground of religion.

Stanley Babu reminded Chandrababu Naidu of his assurance on several occasions to do justice to the Christians of Scheduled Caste origin and including the same in the election manifesto of the TDP.

Fr Anthoniraj Thumma urged him to demand Union Government to introduce the Bill in the present session of the Parliament not only as the President of TDP also as the Chairman of United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) to amend the Constitution Order 1950 and undo the long pending injustice meted out to the Christians and Muslims of S. C. origin.

Sri Chandrababu Naidu was happy to receive the delegation and manifested keen interest in the issue. On listening patiently and reading the APFC memorandum carefully, he gave his assurance of doing the needful. The APFC and the Christian community in the State and country await his speedy and effective intervention on this urgent and vital issue affecting millions of Marginalized.

Fr Anthoniraj Thumma
Executive Secretary, APFC
Vani Campus
2/3 Sikh Village
Secunderabad – 500 009
Tel: 040 – 6558 5958 (O)
Fax: 040 – 27843274
Cell: 98499 65958