The Church and the BJP Government in Madhya Pradesh are facing another confrontation; this time over formation of a Waqf like body to regulate and manage Church properties.
The State Minorities Commission has recommended that Christian community should constitute a body to regulate and manage its properties such as schools, churches and cemeteries across the State.
Recently, the State Minority Commission has recommended the State government to set up a Waqf-like orgnisation christened MP Isai Board to look after the Christian properties. Four members of the Commission has already cleared the proposal for setting up the MP Isai Board at a meeting presided over by senior member Anand Bernard on August 5.
While talking to The Pioneer Minorities Welfare Minister Antar Singh Arya said that his Government is committed to protect community properties of Christians. The Chief Minister has accepted recommendations of the Commission to set up a board for managing Christian community properties, he added.
Regarding the opposition by few Christian bodies, Arya said, “I do not feel that anybody should not oppose the initiative, as it is for the welfare of the community. We are there for provide protection to all communities.”
While Chief Minister Chouhan is keen to implement the recommendation supported by Anand Bernard, a member of State Minorities Commission, a powerful group of Catholics is opposing Bernand, alleging that Bernard is a Protestant and his decisions are not acceptable to the community at large.
Jabalpur Diocese Bishop PC Singh opposed the proposal saying that his community has an independent system of managing community property. “There is no need for a new body,” he added.
Similarly, Bhopal’s Catholic Diocese Arch Bishop leo Carnellio has already dismissed the proposal saying, “Our properties are well managed and administered. Our properties are used for charity, instead of monetary gains.
Notably, in the proposal, Bernard has pointed out that the community has properties worth around Rs 200 crore and they need to be managed and regulate properly.