Indian Christians want vice president from community

June 19, 2012: Christian groups in India have demanded that a person from the community be considered for the post of vice president. The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF), along with the Christian NGOs Federation, on Monday said that independent India never had a Christian occupying any of the top constitutional posts.

They also suggested names of prominent Christians like Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva, Congress leader Oscar Fernandes, former Bangalore police official H.T. Sangliana and former chief justice of Karnataka Justice M.F. Saldanha for the high post.

"The service of the community has not been recognized with constitutional positions. We feel neglected and taken for granted as there are many Christians, who are equally or better qualified, but continue to be ignored," said Joseph Dias, founder of the Catholic Secular Forum.

The All India Catholic Union national secretary Lawrence D'Souza said Indian Christians have meritoriously worked their way to the top in every field of national endeavour, including being chiefs of the armed forces.

Mark D'Souza, president of Indian Christian Congress, said that the service of Christians, without any discrimination to the needy, was incomparable. Dias said that over a thousand bishops, priests, nuns, NGO representatives and people from the community, besides NRIs, signed an online petition for these demands.