Pics: Daya Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Oct 18: "The state government allocates a specific amount in its budget for minorities, keeping their upliftment in mind. Among them, Christians do not get sufficient funds and other facilities as we are a minority among minorities," said Harry D'Souza, state convenor of Karnataka Christian Social Welfare Association.

He was addressing the media here on Tuesday, October 17 at Milagres Church hall here.

"We have been keeping silent for many years without showing any reaction to this. Now, the time has come that we raise our voices against discrimination. On Sunday, November 5, we will hold a convention here under the slogan 'Our Share, Our right'," he said.

"The minority department has more than eight communities to cater to. Among them, the budget amount goes only to one or two. The department does not give any importance to the Christians in Karnataka. As per records, around 12 lac Tamil-speaking, 10 lac Malayalam, 10 lac Telugu, and 10 lac Kannada and Konkani-speaking Christians live in the state. But the minority department does not bother about their welfare and development. If this continues, the community will not see any development in the coming years" he informed.

"The BJP government started Karnataka Christian Development Board and sanctioned Rs 50 lac for it. Now, the Congress government has allocated Rs 175 crore. The money goes towards the repair of buildings and new constructions. We demand an inspection for the amount released to the minority community, and also demand a separate Christian Corporation with an allocated fund of Rs 850 crore from the budget of Rs 2,750 crore set aside for minorities. As per law, Christians and Muslims come under category 1, group B. But the system includes us in category 3B. Due to this, we have been losing facilities and welfare schemes by the government,” he said.

"State government should take steps to appoint a commission to hold a census of Christians, and do a study on issues faced by them in the state," he concluded.

Joylus D'Souza, president of BJP Minority Morcha, youth wing said, "It is necessary to get our share from the government. It is our right to ask for our share. The minority department is not just for one or two communities. It should treat everyone equally and give importance to all. The convention is held to voice our problems to the government and show our strength. It will be the biggest convention in the history of Mangalurean Christians."

Jaya Raj, vice president KCSWA, Anil Lobo, president Catholic Sabha central council, Deepak D'Souza, and Gladwin were present.