New Delhi: Christian Members of Parliament (MPs) from opposition parties voiced strong objections to the Waqf Amendment Bill during a meeting convened by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) on December 3. The gathering, held in the capital, witnessed the participation of approximately 20 MPs, primarily from opposition groups, who emphasised the need for proactive measures to highlight the Christian community’s contributions rather than reacting to adverse developments, reports the Sansad TV.
The contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, currently under the scrutiny of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), proposes significant changes to the Central Waqf Council and Waqf Boards, including provisions for the induction of non-Muslim members. MPs, including Derek O’Brien (Trinamool Congress), Hibi Eden, Dean Kuriakose, Anto Antony (Congress), and John Brittas (CPI-M), criticised several clauses as intrusive. Notably, Union Minister George Kurian from the BJP attended the meeting but arrived after most opposition MPs had spoken, while two other Christian BJP MPs were absent.
Archbishop Andrews, CBCI president, chaired the meeting, which marked the first of its kind in decades. Discussions extended beyond the Waqf Amendment Bill to address broader issues such as increasing attacks on Christians, alleged misuse of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) to target Christian institutions, and the abolition of Anglo-Indian reserved seats in legislative bodies.
During the deliberations, a Kerala MP highlighted the challenges posed by the cancellation of FCRA licences for Christian organisations, describing the detrimental impact on their operations. Another MP emphasised the need for stronger accountability from leaders who fail to uphold constitutional values, urging the community to move beyond symbolic gestures.
Despite a cordial atmosphere, several MPs criticised church leadership for adopting what they termed an overly “transactional” approach in dealing with the government since 2014. In response, the leadership assured MPs of their commitment to addressing the community’s concerns.
This landmark meeting reflects growing apprehensions among Christian MPs about safeguarding minority rights amidst evolving legislative and administrative challenges.
