Now, campaign for Christian as Vice President
ICC Note:
Christians, a minority in India, continue their quest to see a Christian in a “top constitutional post”; in this case, the Vice President of the country. “Political compulsions could have prevented a Christian from becoming the President, but … we need to have at least a Vice President from the community.”
By: KK John
06/18/2012 India (ChristianToday)- Chances for a Christian President might be barely perceptible, but that has not unnerved a Mumbai-based Catholic organisation from campaigning for a Christian as Vice President.
“Now that the UPA – 2 and other political parties have declared their support to the Congress nominee for Pranab Mukherjee, Christian NGOs appeal to all political parties to consider a Christian as Vice President of the country,” the Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) said in an appeal.
Despite Christians having worked their way to the top in every field of national endeavour, the appeal noted that for the last 70 years top constitutional posts have eluded the community.
“The yeoman service of Christians, without any discrimination, to the needy and the downtrodden is incomparable. Yet, other religious groups like the Muslim or even the miniscule Sikh community have been represented. There could be easily a Christian match for any other selected to fill the vacancy,” it said.
…
“Political compulsions could have prevented a Christian from becoming the President, but in the fitness of token representation, we need to have at least a Vice President from the community,” says CSF chief Joseph Dias.
India has had Presidents from among Hindu (8), Muslim (3) and Sikh (1) communities. As for Vice Presidents, there were 9 among Hindus and 3 from the Muslim community.
…
“Not Merit, rather symbolicism is what matters. It is for this reason that KR Narayanan’s Dalit background, Pratibha Patil’s gender, besides the religion of Zail Singh and APJ Kalam, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed and Zakir Hussain, is touted. No one should hence have an objection to Christians being given a chance,” the petition stated.
…
