Bangalore: Christians feel betrayed by the Congress Party for denial of ticket
Media Release
Bangalore, 25 Mar 2014: The Christian community in Karnataka which accounts for nearly 4 per cent of the population feels ‘betrayed and hurt’ by the Congress party for not having fielded even one single candidate from the community in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This is for the first time in the recent history of Karnataka, where Christian Community was denied a ticket for Parliament. The Christian Community in Karnataka feels that Congress is considering Christian Votes, for granted.
The ‘All India Christian Forum’ has said that the community which has been known for its secular beliefs and for its immense contribution to the society in the fields of education, healthcare and social service, has been side-stepped by the Congress party which it has supported in all the elections. In the last elections, nearly 40 per cent of the Assembly seats won by the Congress were with margins of about 6,000 votes. The Congress would not have won these seats but for the backing of the Christian community. The Christian Community is in deep shock, pain and anger for such a ungrateful attitude of party leaders in Karnataka.
The Forum said the community is being ignored by Congress Party on several counts, repetitively, in recent times. The present government in Karnataka was apathetic to the issues of the community, the Forum said and added that the efforts made by the previous government to set up the ‘Christian Development Board’ had not been taken forward by the government now. It’s almost a year now, since the inception of this government, and membership to the ‘Christian Development Council’ has not yet been announced. During Karnataka Rajyotsava awards 2013, not even one Christian was recognized by the present government for the honor which was indicative for its bias against Christians. Christians in Karnataka have started feeling that they have been taken for granted by this State Government.
The Forum mentioned that the schemes under Karnataka State Minorities Development Corporation have been modified by this Government in such a bad way that, they are made useless in real sense. Moreover, for loan schemes, the applicant are being forced to get the guarantor, who should compulsory be a government employee. Such rigid rules don’t exist even in other Public Sector Banks. It is also observed that, this government is deliberately sidelining Minority Christians from top posts in the government. Other than the Karnataka home minister, K J George, there is no Christian representation in state cabinet. Even during last assembly elections, only 2 tickets were given to Christian Candidates out of 224, and if the proportionate number of population was to be considered, Christians should have been given at least 8 tickets.
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| Baptist sequeira, Moodubelle | Wed, March-26-2014, 12:04 |
| Dear Benedict sir, in your opinion they means who? Being a very elder person don t point fingers to our own brothers who raised issue . You could also write a message to congress or Sorake if you had foreseen this matter. At least few has raised this issue with courage. Now we all must unite and send the message to congress that we are not with them. Now even Christians also have a choice AAP. | |
| Philip Mudartha, Mumbai | Tue, March-25-2014, 11:50 |
| I endorse the views expressed by Vicky, Udupi. I hold similar views. | |
| Vicky, Udupi | Tue, March-25-2014, 10:13 |
| Painful to say , but one must. Let us stop crying and yearning for religion based preferences and allotments. I know all other casts and tribes do it but one must stop it at some point. All SCC/ST deals should have been scrapped 50th year of independence (if not the 25th itself). There is no good to be gained by bring aligned with these opportunities (except a few so called community leaders who get to weld their power for self gain). We really do not need such preferential treatment... can t see any common man asking for it (except a few who get access to the stage). | |
| Benedict Noronha, Udupi/India | Tue, March-25-2014, 8:02 |
| This is a very unfortunate News from the Karnataka Christians. They knw only to cry over the split milk. When the lectons are announced they raise their heads and grievances . They were sleepin before this to demand and urge for more seats.Stupid as the stand is. At the Top UPA the Christian Chairperson is there. why they did not approach her instead of late hour protest commentary about their pathetic aexperience. These people know only to blame. Are not active watchdogs.I say be vigilant always. Demand your rights . Not at the elevength hour. Now be qiet and CAst your Votes without any ill-feelings and put your in cross roads. | |
| Alphonse Mendonsa, Pangla | Tue, March-25-2014, 11:49 |
| It is always the step motherly attitude towards the Christian community in Karnataka. Having top Union Minister at the helm nothing has been done to Christian community, no development of any sort either in Mangalore or Bangalore. Our Political leaders are only to receive flowers and gifts and attend the inaugural functions and unfortunely we ourselseves invite them for major functions and what we get in return is kick and totally ignored. Hense it is time to look for some one else and I would suggest AAP so that equal opportunities will be given to all. | |
| Baptist Sequeira, Moodubelle | Tue, March-25-2014, 9:55 |
| I was writing this "christians are taken for granted by congress" in many of my opinions, facebook posting etc. Now at least a few people openly mentioned this. Yes we are been considered taken for granted by these many years. And the elected MP of ours never done anything to promote our youths. Even in the advertisements of congress they never show christians as minorities. In their eyes they have only muslims as minorities. Why like this? We all must raise our voices. Even because of their Food Security Bill, the christian brothers who are just above poverty line now don t get ration. Have anybody raised this issue? Don t the rich SC ST or the muslims still get ration? So I request our leaders who ever think they can help they must raise this issue to the government and make sure that our votes are also more valued. | |
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