The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR for SC status to Dalit Christians

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Saturday, Jul 14, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR for SC status to Dalit Christians

Special Correspondent

Hopes for a political consensus on the issue

Keeping abreast: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy releasing a magazine ’We’. Also seen are Rev. Marampudi Joji and Rev. B.P. Sugandhar in Hyderabad on Friday.

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has expressed the hope that a consensus would emerge among political parties in different States so that it could translate into a law categorising Dalit Christians as Scheduled Castes.

Addressing a gathering of community elders after releasing the first issue of ‘WE’ an inter-denominational Christian Community magazine here on Friday, he agreed that it was a problem when a person lost his/her SC status upon embracing Christianity. It was true there were several problems plaguing the community, particularly on the education front where teachers’ vacancies could not be filled up.

Dr. Reddy explained that budgetary constraints prevented Government from spending on salaries in grant-in-aid institutions. However, proposals were being considered to accord some sort of exemption to minority educational institutions in payment of property tax.

Demands listed

Earlier, Rev. B.P. Sugandhar, Moderator, Church of South India, Medak Diocese, listed out the demands of the community.

They included financial assistance for repair of dilapidated churches, maintenance and upgradation of mission hospitals and help to aided educational institutions, especially in the rural areas.

He also wanted reservations for Dalit Christians on a par with Muslims and Governments to take firm action on those responsible or attacks on Christians.

Ministers Mohd. Ali Shabbir (Minorities Welfare), Koneru Ranga Rao (Municipal Administration), MP Harsh Kumar and Archbishop, Hyderabad, Rev. Marampudi Joji, Rev. V.E Christopher, president, Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, Col. M.Y. Emmanuel, Territorial Commander, The Salvation Army, convenor T. Stanley Babu, and P.A. Sudhakar, Editor & Publisher, ‘WE’.

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