Church urges Union minister Rijiju to give micro-minority status to Christians

Thiruvananthapuram: The Syro Malabar church in Kerala has sought micro-minority status for the Christian community.

Syro Malabar church Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil made the request to Union minority affairs minister Kiren Rijiju who called on him in Kochi on Monday.

The meeting assumed much political significance as the BJP has been making all out efforts to make inroads into the Christian belts of poll-bound Kerala.

Kerala BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who also took part in the talks, told reporters that the minister assured that the request to give micro-minority status to Christian community would be considered by the Centre. A delegation of Christian community would hold talks with the Centre in this regard, he said.

The Major Archbishop was learnt to have expressed concerns that the members of the Christian community were not getting adequate consideration in government schemes like scholarships.

Rijiju told reporters that the BJP government would ensure the protection and rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all the minority communities.

The Major Archbishop also requested the Centre to officially invite Pope Leo XIV to India. The Union minister assured a favorable consideration.

BJP leaders said that attacks towards Christians at various parts of the country did not figure at the meeting.