Christian group seeks political representation, welfare measures in Telangana

The Telangana United Christians and Pastors Association has urged the State government to provide greater political representation and welfare measures for Christians. Its demands include nominated posts, an MLC seat, burial land, pastors' honorarium and Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians

Hyderabad: The Telangana United Christians and Pastors Association (TUCPA) has urged the State government to fulfil its commitments to the Christian community and ensure adequate political representation and equitable opportunities in governance.

A delegation of TUCPA committee members, led by General Secretary Goneh Solomon Raj, submitted a representation seeking immediate action on several long-pending demands.

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The association said the Protestant and Catholic Christian communities form an important part of Telangana’s social fabric and include people belonging to Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, Other Backward Classes and Forward Classes. The TUCPA demanded political justice through appointments to nominated posts, commissions and party leadership positions.

Its key demands include the appointment of a TPCC working president from the Christian community, allocation of a Christian MLC, appointment of a chairman to the Christian Minority Finance Corporation and a vice-chairman of the Minorities Commission.

The association also sought the appointment of Christians as directors in various departments, co-option of members in municipal bodies, appointment of chairpersons and members of market committees, and representation in DCC posts at the district, constituency and mandal levels.

Among its welfare demands, the association sought a monthly honorarium for pastors and allotment of burial ground land in all mandals. It also called for legislation to deal with religious hate speech.

The TUCPA further urged the government to address the long-standing demand for extending Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and to streamline socio-economic benefits for the community.