PRESS STATEMENT OF ALL INDIA CATHOLIC UNION ON PRIVACY LAWS, NEW WRIT ON DALIT CHRISTIANS.
Supreme Court issues notice to Government on AICU application that Article 341 Part 3 is used in Sangh Parivar’s Ghar Wapsi campaign against Minorities
AICU welcomes ruling upholding Right to Privacy
Jharkhand CM being sued for targeting Christians
PRESS STATEMENT
[The following is the text of the statement issued today at a Press Conference at the Bengaluru Press Club by Mr Lancy D’ Cunha, the National President of the All India Catholic Union, and AICU official spokesman Dr John Dayal.]
The All India Catholic Union [AICU] has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling upholding Privacy as a fundamental right of all citizens. The ruling will have widespread impact on all persons, and specially on religious and other minorities. The AICU is studying the full ramifications of the ruling, as also that of the recent majority judgement outlawing Instant Triple Talaq in Muslims. AICU is in solidarity with women in their struggle for equal rights.
“We also express gratitude to the Supreme Court Chief Justice J S Khehar and Justice D Y Chandrachud who recently issued notice to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on a petition filed by AICU and its past president, Dr. John Dayal, challenging the validity of Article 341 para 3 of Constitution. This Article, which was once known as the President’s Order of 1950, denied Dalit Christians and Muslims reservation and other benefits,” AICU president Mr. Lancy D’ Cunha said.
AICU’s lawyer, Mr P I Jose, told the Supreme Court that this provision was being misused by Hindutva organizations like the RSS and VHP to indulge in Ghar Wapsi, that is re-conversionn of Christians and Muslims into Hinduism. The RSS and its affiliates are misusing the delay in not hearing the original 2004 public interest petition on this issue, by engaging in Ghar Wapsi etc. and therefore there is a need to hear the matter early, even though the government of India is delaying it by not filing a reply, Advocate Jose told the Court.
As per para 3 of Constitution (scheduled castes) order 1950 which the petition has challenged, “no person who professes a religion different from the Hindu, the Sikh or the Buddhist religion shall be deemed to be a member of a scheduled caste”. Bodies like the RSS and VHP are capitalizing on the delay by luring Dalit Christians to re-convert by promising them Scheduled Caste rights and other incentives. AICU, which represents the Catholic Laity in the country, is deeply concerned over ‘Ghar Wapsi’ or the re-conversion programme and ether coercive and violent actions indulged in by Hindutva right wing outfits, and had moved a fresh petition for scrapping of the clause.
It is important to mention that on the one hand the poor Christians of Dalit origin are deprived of their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of faith and worship, on the other hand large groups of politically and institutionally patronised narrow fundamentalist religious bigots openly come out with violent intimidatory programs like “Ghar Wapsi” and other like programs depriving the poor Christians of Scheduled caste origin their basic human rights of peaceful living. The existing laws seem to legitimise Ghar Wapsi, while making it prohibitive and punitive for any Dalit to exercise his or her freedom of faith and convert to Islam or Christianity. Conversions to Buddhism and Sikhism do not invite this punishment.
The AICU was among the first ones to challenge the Presidential Order when it was issued in 1950. It has now decided to take legal recourse apart from its normal advocacy and mass mobilisations to seek the protection of the rights of religious minorities.
The AICU has also, therefore, decided to take legal action against the chief minister of Jharkhand, Mr Raghubar Das, and his government who recently pushed an anti-religious conversion bill in the state legislature. The chief minister then added insult to injury by using public money to issue an outrageous newspaper advertisement which uses a garbled statement of Mahatma Gandhi made before Independence to target Christians. Our lawyers are currently in the process of finalising our petition, Dr John Dayal said.
AICU has also noted the hate speeches that have emanated from the recent session of Sangh Parivar organisations in Goa. These have further vitiated the surcharged atmosphere, and aggravated the communal polarisation in the country. Sadhvi Sarasvati’s call for death to beef eaters is the type of targeting that has led to the rash of the large number of lynching of Muslims and Dalits ins several states in India.
AICU has called on the new President of India, Mr. Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, to order exemplary action against such hate mongers. Although government has sought to appease Christians in Goa and the north east by keeping the states out of the ban on beef, the politics of the cow has targeted Muslims and other communities whose food habits and economy depended on the trade in bovines. Its ramifications have not been fully understood, and AICU fears they will irretrievably damage the economic health of the farmers and the poor.
The Catholic Union is alarmed at the serial attempts by the Central and State governments to saffronise all levels of education in the country by direct changes in academic curricula, text books and teaching. The warped interpretation of history, archaeology and social sciences will make children misfits in a modern world and will unravel the progress made in the decades since Independence.
In Karnataka, the AICU demands that the state government immediately set up a Christian Development Corporation by elevating existing the existing board, which has inadequate powers. We also demand that other states other states in the country which do not have Minority Commissions or development corporations set them up soon.
We also call upon political parties Karnataka to ensure that the Christian community is represented in their party structures, and in the candidates, that they chose for the state assembly and other elected bodies. It is a matter of concern that at present there are just two Christians in the State assembly although the population is over 10 per cent
The Union also backed the Catholic community in various parts of the country which have been fighting the desecration of Crosses, and their arbitrary demolition despite authentic documentation of their antiquity. The community in the past had often voluntary shifted holy Crosses if they felt it was in the national cause. It was in line with the Christian community giving up a church so that India’s rocket and space sciences could have their first base in Kerala.
Released to the media by Dr John Dayal, past president and Official Spokesman, Dr John Dayal. Contact: john.dayal@gmail.com; +919811021072
The Poona Catholic Association submitted a memorandum to the District Collector for alloting cemetery to Christians. The photo has President Joe Kasbe submitting the memorandum to the Collector
15
Aug
AICU Poster Competition – 2017
AICU Poster Competition – 2017
The rules and regulations of this poster competition will be as follows:
A. The poster competition will be organized at 3 Levels:
1. Diocesan Level
2. State Level (with participation by at least 3 dioceses)
3. National Level
B This competition will be for catholic students 8th to X std
C. Competition to start from 1st September 2017 and end on 31st December 2017
D. Prizes will be awarded for winners at different levels
1. National Level
1st prize - Trophy + Certificate + Rs. 10000 cash
2nd prize - Trophy + Certificate + Rs. 5000 cash
3rd prize - Trophy + Certificate + Rs. 3000 cash
2. State Level (minimum 3 dioceses to participate)
1st prize - Trophy + Certificate
2nd prize - Trophy + Certificate
3rd prize - Trophy + Certificate
3. Diocesan Level
1st prize - Trophy + Certificate
2nd prize - Trophy + Certificate
3rd prize - Trophy + Certificate
E. Subject for the painting competition:
2. Class 8 to 10 std - Kingdom Values of Christian’s Service in India
Rules & Regulations
1. This poster competition is only for Catholics residing in India.
2. Proof of age / the class of studying, certified by the School / Parish is required.
3. Participants to bring their own white drawing / chart paper in A3 size (11" x 17") and colors preferably water colors, etc.
4. Time duration for the competition is 3 hours.
5. 10 Marks each will be given for the following: Total 50 marks.
a) Creativity b) Neatness c) Beauty d) Accuracy with topic e) Overall quality
6. Competitions will be judged at 3 different levels. However the participants have to paint drawing only once at the Diocesan Level
7. It is compulsory to have minimum 10 participants in each category for the competition to be held for that category.
8. 5 best paintings in each category will be sent for the next level of judging. However, only 3 best paintings will be awarded.
9. Diocesan level competition will be conducted with the help of the diocesan associates.
10. Prize winning posters may be used for the AICU Official Calendar
11. All Posters will be the sole property of AICU and would be displayed during exhibition and in AICU web site & will not be returned.
12. Organizers decision will be final and binding on all.
13. Diocesan units may arrange gift vouchers, prize & light refreshment for the participants
14. Entry fees of not more than Rs.50/- should be charged. However, we recommend no entry fees.
15. Organizers’ have the right to cancel the competition
16. Local organizers will announce the date and venue along with rules and regulations and will provide Entry form to the participants.
17. Participants are requested to write caption for the drawing and explain the drawing in max 3 sentences.
Lancy D Cunha Flavy D Sousa A Chinnappan
National President National Secretary/convener Secretary General
7259020989 9964319065 9990202102
1
Aug
Catholic Union denounces hate speeches at Goa Hindutva meet; BJP’s beef politics targets Muslims, Dalits and agro economy
Catholic Union denounces hate speeches at Goa Hindutva meet; BJP’s beef politics targets Muslims, Dalits and agro economy
Chief Justice urged to name Constitution Bench on Dalit Christians’ rights
Union slams moves to nationalize Goa rivers; demands Minority Commission, Catholic University in State
PRESS STATEMENT
Panaji, Goa, 31 July 2017
[Statement released at a Press conference in Panaji, Goa, by All India Catholic Union National President, Mr. Lancy D Cunha. The press conference was also addressed by Past National President and Spokesman, Dr. John Dayal. The All India Catholic Union, which celebrates its centenary in 2019, is the oldest and largest Laity organisation in Asia. The AICU held two-day special consultations on issues impacting the Christian community in the country.]
The All India Catholic Union has denounced the hate speeches that emanated from the recent session of Sangh Parivar organisations in Goa. These have further vitiated the surcharged atmosphere, and aggravated the communal polarisation in the country. Sadhvi Sarasvati’s call for death to beef eaters is the type of targeting that has led to the rash of the large number of lynching of Muslims and Dalits ins several states in India.
While congratulating Mr. Ram Chandra Kovind, a Dalit, on his becoming the 14th President of India, the AICU has called upon him and Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, to order exemplary action against such hate mongers. Although government has sought to appease Christians in Goa and the north east by keeping the states out of the ban on beef, the politics of the cow has targeted Muslims and other communities whose food habits and economy depended on the trade in bovines. Its ramifications have not been fully understood, and AICU fears they will irretrievably damage the economic health of the farmers and the poor.
The Catholic Union is also alarmed at the serial attempts by the Central and State governments to saffronise all levels of education in the country by direct changes in academic curricula, text books and teaching. The coming generations scientific reasoning and the pursuit of knowledge to a warped interpretation of history, archaeology and social sciences that will make children misfits in a modern world and will unravel the progress made in the decades since Independence.
In its review of the situation in Goa, the AICU expressed its solidarity with the demand of the Catholic Association of Goa for the setting up of a Minority Commission in the state. It noted that the Human Rights and other bodies meant to safeguard constitutional rights were dysfunctional. There was lack of transparency in government recruitment in the absence of a state services board or commission. This had created anarchy in the selection of candidates who were now being chosen at the whims and fancies of officers on interview boards.
A major fear of the people is of moves to nationalize rivers of Goa to open them to the corporate sector as transport routes for coal. Any proposal to make a coal transport hub poses serious threat to the health of the rivers and its ecology which has barely recovered from the ravages by the ore shipping trade.
The Union also backed the Catholic Community of Mumbai, the capital of neighboring Maharashtra, which has been fighting the desecration of Crosses, and their arbitrary demolition despite authentic documentation of their antiquity. It noticed that the people had often voluntary shifted holy Crosses if they felt it was in the national cause. It was in line with the Christian community giving up a church so that India’s rocket and space sciences could have their first base in Kerala.
AICU notes the mischief inherent in efforts by the Mumbai authorities in evolving development plans for the city without acknowledging the presence of churches and other Christians institutions. This makes them venerable to demolition in the future. The government must take remedial action immediately, the Union said.
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[Released to the Media by Dr. John Dayal, Official Spokesman, All India Catholic Union. For further information, please contact catholicunion@gmail.com; +919811021072
