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Dear Goankars,
Please forward to all.
Regards,
Jane
==============================================
E_MAIL:- [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Media Statement from Dr. Peter Rodriques, Chairman, Reservations Cell, The CSF
Regd Office : 75, Vakola Village, Santacruz (E), Mumbai - 55.
The CSF is India's only ISO 9001:2000 certified NGO for " undertaking community
development programmes for human rights, social service, medical aid,
education, charity & relief " of the laity, supported by the clergy. The
certification is by the joint accredition service of Australia & New Zealand.
The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), the Mumbai-based activist community NGO
demands -
Other Backward Castes/Class (OBC) reservations for Christians, who are either
of Schedule Caste origin or All Christians Left Out, as per Mandal Commission.
Proportionate Representation in Government employment, educational
opportunities & political nominations
Govt of India NSSO Report
The demand for OBC benefits for Christians stems from the Supreme Court
rulings, Mandal Commission & NSSO Reports. The recent Government of India
National Sample Service Organisation (NSSO) survey report, clearly brings out
the fact that Christians are economically much more backward than their
counterparts of other faiths. The NSSO report released in 2007 reveals that the
unemployment rate among Christians is higher than that of Hindus and Muslims.
For instance, in rural areas, the unemployment rate was 4.4% among Christians,
2.3% among Muslims and 1.5% among Hindus, which highlights the need for the
government to take serious note. Similarly, it urban areas the unemployment
rate of Christians was 8.6% and much higher than other religious groups - 4.4%
for Hindus and 4.1% for Muslims. Even more alarming was that the unemployment
among urban Christian women was the highest at 14% and is cause for concern,
among the community. The NSSO report is the most extensive study of religious
groups undertaken across the country, covering 1,24,680 sample households -
79,306 families in 7,999 villages and 45,374 families in 4,602 urban areas of
India
Mandal Commission Report
The Mandal Commission Report earlier too had categorically granted OBC
reservation to Christians, including all Schedule Castes converted to
Christianity and all those Christians, who performed the same backward
occupations, as their backward Hindu counterparts. Some of these jobs according
to the Mandal Commission Report, could be washermen, barbers, potters,
blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters, marginal farmers, etc. and hence, Christians
in these occupations should be entitled to OBC reservations. The Mandal
Commission specifies that there are 43.7% Hindu OBCs and 8.4% non-Hindus,
comprising Sikhs, Muslims and Christians.
Supreme Court Ruling
In November, 1992 the Supreme Court ratified OBC reservations to Christians, in
its judgement, which said that non-Hindus, like Sikhs, Muslims and Christians,
who are socially backward are entitled to reservations, under article 16 (4) of
the Constitution. Christians have been excluded by the government at the center
and in the states, because they do not enjoy political clout. Thus, the
converts to Christianity face double discrimination and exclusion, even among
the minorities. The Andhra Pradesh government has in fact granted a 4%
reservation exclusively for the Muslims minority and could do well including
Christians too. The union and other state governments need to follow suit.
According to Mr. Joseph Dias, general secretary, The CSF -
The recent attacks on Christians has not only exposed the vulnerability of the
community, but also highlighted the need for the governments to consider its
demand for OBC status, as well as proportionate representation. There is an
eminent danger of Christians being reduced to the periphery of the national
mainstream and with attacks on the rise, Christians in government postings,
like the civil services or police, could prove useful. In the absence of
reservations or representations, the poor Christians are unable to educate
themselves or find employment. During the current rash of anti-Christian
violence, should there have been a fair representation of community members in
the police or government, the impact on Christians, would have been much
lesser. In the light of police atrocities, where even women, children and
clergy was targeted in the recent communal riots, The CSF calls for police to
enter Christian places of worship or institutions, accompanied by community
members.
Thanking you, with regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Peter Rodriques,
Chairman, Reservations Cell, The CSF
AND
Tivim,
GOA
