Church leaders in Madhya Pradesh are irked over a proposal to constitute for
Christians a body on the lines of the Muslims’ Wakf Board and have demanded the
dissolution of the state minorities commission that has suggested the move.The
Madhya Pradesh State Minorities Commission, which is meant to protect the
interests of religious minorities, had last month recommended that a law be
enacted to set up a board to manage Church properties, including cemeteries,
similar to the Wakf Board.
The Waqf Board, set up in 1995, manages properties for religious and charitable
purposes. It also supports Muslim schools, colleges, hospitals and charity
institutions, using the money it generates from its properties and donations.
The move has drawn strong criticism from the Christians as it would bring the
church properties under government control.
“The church opposes such a move for the Christian community because church
assets, unlike the Waqf properties, are purchased after paying money and not
taken from the government on charity,” said Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal,
who heads the Catholic Church in the state.
“Also, the church manages its own properties legally following all government
laws and regulations and does not need additional institutional help to monitor
the use of properties,” the Archbishop told IANS adding that the minority
commission members have acted “in total ignorance and gross violation” of the
country’s laws.
Contending that all the church properties are under the state government’s Act
of Firms and Societies, regular meetings are held, accounts audited as per law
and documents duly submitted, the Archbishop pointed out “It is clear that the
State Minorities Commission is working against the interest of the Christian
minority”.
The commission’s mandate is to protect the interests of religious minorities
and to ensure their religious and civic freedom as guaranteed in the
constitution. On the contrary, he said, its latest recommendation “shows beyond
doubt that it is disloyal to minorities and loyal to the government”.
Church leaders also suspect that the commission was acting on behalf of the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state government and the Archbishop has requested
Governor Balram Jakhar not to accept the recommendation of the commission.
Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur said the recommendations were “politically
motivated” and made without consulting church leaders.
The Christian organisations have announced a boycott of commission member Anand
Bernard who moved the proposal. The action committee of the Madhya Pradesh Isai
Mahasangh (Christian forum) urging all community members to stay away from
Bernard.
However Bernard, unfazed by the criticism, said only a few vested interests
were resisting his recommendation which is essentially aimed at bringing about
transparency in the Christian organisations’ property management.
(February 7th, 2009 - 4:25 pm ICT by IANS)
JABALPUR, India (UCAN) -- Church leaders in a central Indian state have
demanded the dissolution of a commission meant to protect the interests of
religious minorities.
The demand came after the Madhya Pradesh Minority Commission recommended a law
to bring Church properties including cemeteries under government control.
Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal, who heads the Catholic Church in the state,
said on Jan. 25 the minority commission members have acted "in total ignorance
and gross violation" of the country's laws.
According to media reports, the commission on Jan. 15 recommended that the
government enact a law to set up a board to manage Church properties, similar
to the Muslims' Waqf (foundation) Board. The Waqf Board, set up in 1995,
manages properties for religious and charitable purposes. It also supports
Muslim schools, colleges, hospitals and charity institutions, using money it
generates from its properties and donations.
The Church opposes such a move for the Christian community because Church
assets, unlike the Waqf properties, "are purchased after paying money and not
taken from the government on charity," Archbishop Cornelio explained. He added
that the Church manages its own properties legally following all government
laws and regulations, and does not need additional institutional help to
monitor the use of properties.
The prelate also pointed out that the commission's mandate is to protect the
interests of religious minorities and to ensure their religious and civic
freedom, as guaranteed in the constitution. On the contrary, he said, its
latest recommendation "shows beyond doubt that it is disloyal to minorities"
and "loyal to the government."
Church leaders suspect the commission was acting on behalf of the state
government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people's party), considered
the political arm of groups trying to make India a Hindu nation, rules the
state.
Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur described the recommendation as "politically
motivated" and aimed at curtailing Christians' freedom. He noted that the
commission made it without consulting Church leaders.
Father Anand Muttungal, spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh,
called the recommendation arbitrary and against the constitution. He wants the
commission to withdraw it.
Christian laypeople are planning to campaign against the move through the
ecumenical Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh (Christian grand assembly). According
to Christi Louis Abraham, coordinator for the state-wide campaign, Christians
plan to ask state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to reject the
recommendation.
Christian leaders say their community has suffered harassment and violence ever
since the BJP government came to power in 2003. The party retained power for
another five-year term in the state election this past November.
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