Christian members of parliament urge apex Church Body to stand with minorities
#ChristianStandWithMuslim
New Delhi: Christian members of parliament in India have urged the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) to take an in-principle stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, citing concerns over its impact on minority rights enshrined in the Constitution.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a meeting called by CBCI, the apex body of Catholics in India, was attended by around 20 MPs. TMC’s parliamentary party leader Derek O’Brien, Congress MPs Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Anto Antony, and CPI-M MP John Brittas were among the MPs who attended the meeting,
The CBCI President, Archbishop Andrews, chaired the meeting, which addressed the community’s role in safeguarding its rights amid rising attacks on minorities, including Christians and Muslims. The MPs also discussed the misuse of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to target Christian institutions.
Several MPs expressed concerns over provisions of the Waqf Bill, which would allow non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards. They called on the CBCI to take a proactive stance on issues affecting the community.
The MPs also raised the abolition of Anglo-Indian seats in Parliament and state assemblies, along with recent FCRA license cancellations targeting Christian organizations.
