‘Will support any secular party that meets our demands’: Telangana Christians seek to emerge as vote bank ahead of polls

While the community is a minority in Telangana, its leaders believe they can be a deciding factor in about 40 Assembly constituencies. With a population of about 85 lakh plus, the community said its 50 lakh plus voters will support the creation of a secular, democratic and pro-poor government in Telangana.

A delegation of about 200 leaders and members from The Telangana State Federation of Churches (TSFC), Synod of Telangana (SOT) and Telangana Council of Churches (TCC) recently convened at the CSI-Medak Diocesan Office in Secunderabad.

During the meeting on October 19, they discussed their plight in the last decade since the state’s formation and adopted a common declaration — ‘Telangana Christian Community Declaration for Political Parties – 2023’. The copies of the same have been shared with all political parties for consideration.

Some of the demands include a Special Development Plan and budget to address their education, health care, employment, skill development and welfare needs.

They also demand two minority residential schools for Christian students in each of the erstwhile 10 districts, grant-in-aid posts in Christian minority institutions, 5 per cent reservation in the weaker sections’ housing, 2 per cent reservation in government jobs, a helpline and emergency response cell and honorariums and health insurance for pastors, priests, brothers and nuns. Additionally, they demand 100 acre of land in Greater Hyderabad and 10 acre in each district headquarters for modern graveyards.

The meeting unanimously resolved that the community has been deprived of its deserving share, not adequately represented in the state legislature, Parliament or in the government and their legitimate demands for welfare and development remain unaddressed by successive governments, said a statement from Father Raju Alex, Reverend Dr T Bhaskar CSI, Bro Varghese Theckanath S G, Rt Reverend Haokip Paothang, Sister Lizzy, Roydin Roach, J R Sudheer.

The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi though has spoken about the welfare of Christians and even announced the establishment of a ‘Christian Bhavan’ on the lines of the bhavans that it has announced and constructed for different castes and communities, it has remained only a promise to date.

In one line, the BRS party’s manifesto mentions that “minority welfare will be increased”. The Congress party, on the other hand, is expected to soon release its “minority declaration” and election manifesto. It has suggested a Rs 5,000 crore budget for the welfare of the minorities.

“The foundation for Christian Bhavan has been laid four times so far. During Christmas, large gatherings are organised. But these are symbolic gestures. What we want is substantive support in terms of education, job opportunities, and representation. We have contributed to society significantly despite our fewer numbers but we are taken for granted,” said one of the representatives.

Another representative said there was an increasing feeling of insecurity in their community. “There are increasing numbers of attacks on Christians and we have made representations to the authorities but not received a positive response,” he said.

The community is in a wait-and-watch mode after reaching out to all parties that promise a secular and democratic government. One of the signatories, Bro Varghese Theckanath S G, told indianexpress.com that a party that promises to be pro-poor, protect the secular nature of the constitution, stand by democracy and democratic institutions and also consider the community’s demands, will be extended full support of the Christians of Telangana.