Christian MPs ask Bishops’ group to stand with Muslims on Waqf Bill

According to an MP, who attended the meeting, it was brought to the notice of the church that the Waqf Amendment Bill infringes on constitutional values. It should be opposed even though there are individual cases of property disputes. For instance, the Kerala State Waqf Board has staked claim over 404 acres of land in Ernakulam district’s Munambam coast — land inhabited for generations by some 600 Christian and Hindu families.

Cutting across party lines, the Opposition MPs also told authorities that “growing anti-Muslim hatred” should also be opposed by the church.

The meeting was chaired by Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, the president of CBCI. Among the attendees were Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and BJP leader George Kurian, CPI(M) MP John Brittas, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’brien, Congress MPs Hibi Eden and Dean Kuriakose and Zoram People’s Movement Party MP Richard Vanlalhmangaiha.

The agenda for the meeting was decided by the CBCI in a “reminder”, which was sent to the participants. It stated that the “agenda for discussion” included “proactive role of Christian MPs in supporting and protecting the community and its rights” and “increasing attack and threats against minorities, especially Christians”. The CBCI had intimated MPs that “points of discussion” would include “attacks on churches, institutions and persons, anti-conversion laws, Waqf law and amendment bill, Manipur issue, denial of ST rights to Dalit Christians, FCRA renewal and related issues and Papal visit”.

In the meeting, concerns of the church, including violence in Manipur, anti-conversion laws in different states and denial of FCRA clearance to Christian institutions were also raised, sources said. The meeting was important as it was the “first one called by the Catholic clergy in a few decades”, sources said.

The CBCI, however, clarified that the meeting with Christian MPs was “an informal gathering”. According to a release issued by CBCI, the meeting “was called for informal sharing and discussion among Christian MPs from various political parties and the CBCI”.

The gathering concluded with a Christmas dinner which “fostered a spirit of camaraderie and festive cheer”, the release read.

The release added, “The CBCI emphasises that his meeting was not a formal conference or a politically motivated event, but rather an opportunity for Christian MPs to come together and celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.”