Christian groups recommend nominee to National Minorities Commission after exclusion from state body

With no Christian members in the National and Maharashtra Minorities Commission, community groups in Mumbai have recommended their nominees to the body.

Prominent Christian organizations in the city, Watchdog Foundation, Bombay Catholic Sabha, Association of Concerned Christians, Christian Reform United People Association and others have written to the National Minorities Commission, BJP president JP Nadda and the Prime Minister's Office, suggesting a social worker. Agnelo Fernandes, general secretary of BJP's Mumbai Minority Cell, for this post. Fernandes has the support of Bombay Archbishop Cardinal Oswald Gracias, who has written to Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju recommending Mahim resident Fernandes for the office.

Christian groups have been disappointed by the absence of a Christian representative in the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission, believing their voices have gone unheard in policy discussions. The community feels that this diminishes the ability to bridge gaps and present Christian concerns effectively on a national level. The nine-member state commission currently consists of six Muslims, two Jains and one Sikh, with the population of the latter two groups being much smaller than that of Christians in the state. The national body has one Parsi member, but no representative from the Christian community, which constituted 2.3% of the country's population in 2011. The last Christian member of the national body was George Kurian, now a minister, who was appointed as its vice-president. 2017. Mumbai Congress unit senior vice-president Janet D'Souza, who was vice-president of the state body, was its last Christian member.

Father Nigel Barrett, spokesman for Cardinal Gracious, Archbishop of Bombay, said he was not aware of any recommendation made by the cardinal. Barrett said, “We are, however, disappointed that no Christians have been appointed to the Minorities Commission and we urge the government to reconsider and ensure that at least one Christian member is a member of the Minorities Commission.”

Fernandes explained the absence of Christian members in the National and State Minority Commissions by the fact that the BJP does not have many Christian office-bearers. Fernandes said, “Political parties make appointments in commissions. We have to accept that appointments are made by political parties. Christians stay away from the BJP. If you do not apply for posts, you will get a member from a Christian. How do you expect to become.” Added. A Christian delegation led by community leaders recently met BJP Mumbai president Ashish Shelar, who reportedly expressed his support for Fernandes. Archie Soder of AOCC said the National Minorities Commission has had no Christian representative for more than eight years. “Agnello Fernandes' presence will address our community's concerns and promote inclusivity,” Soder said.

“We are optimistic that Agnello Fernandes will be appointed this time,” said Godfrey Pimenta of the Watchdog Foundation. “His experience, leadership and community support make him the ideal candidate.”