Christians submit memo to Sonia over attacks

NAGPUR, APRIL 18: A delegation of the Rashtriya Christian Congress RCC submitted a memorandum to Congress president and leader of Opposi...

NAGPUR, APRIL 18: A delegation of the Rashtriya Christian Congress RCC submitted a memorandum to Congress president and leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi, expressing concern over the growing incidents of attacks on the minority Christian community.

The memorandum listed latest cases of attacks on members of the minority Christian community, schools run by the community and also churches. The RCC delegation demanded that adequate security should be provided to the minority community. The memorandum also mentioned the demands of the local Christian community.

The delegation led by president Vijay Barse and secretary Vipin Bower, included Vandana Benjamin, Baba Indurkar, Nelson Rajan, Lalit Naidu, Vinod Sunkar, C D Salve, Vinayak Pakhale and others.

A delegation of Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad ABAVP, led by Parishad vice-president, former Minister and veteran leader Baburao Madavi, also submitted a memorandum to the Congress president during her recent visit to the city.

The Parishad demanded a long-term extension to statutory reservation facilities to tribals. It suggested a new formula for proper utilisation of funds allocated for implementation of Tribal Sub-plan. The Parishad leaders pointed out that the present Tribal Sub-plan system lays emphasis on area development and gives secondary importance to the schemes for actual development of tribals. Suggesting a new formula, the Parishad leaders said 40 per cent of the funds should be allocated for area development, 40 per cent for individuals and families of tribals in areas covered by Tribal Sub-plan and remaining 20 per cent for development of tribals residing outside the Tribal Sub-plan area.

They also demanded stern measures to check misuse of statutory reservations by certain pseudo-tribal8217; communities. The delegation included tribal leaders Madhukar Kumre, Maniram Madavi, Suresh Kumre and Madhuri Dhurve.

Earlier, Christians of Nagpur actively participated in the Save Constitution8217; rally which was held at Kasturchand Park Ground on April 14.

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A massive morcha, led by D A Bastian, was also taken out by Christians in support of the rally. The morcha began from the SFS Cathedral to reach Kasturchand Park Ground.

The delegation also pointed out anti-Christian statements made by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief K S Sudarshan in Nagpur recently and sought her intervention. They requested her to raise the issue in Lok Sabha and also speak to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Sonia gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured to take up the issue in Parliament. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, AICC general secretary and in-charge of Maharashtra Motilal Vohra and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee MPCC president Govindrao Adik were also present on the occasion.