Govt plans bhawans for Christians: CM

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, December 18

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the state government would construct ‘Masihi Bhawans’ in all subdivisions of the state.

Addressing a gathering at a state-level function to celebrate Christmas near PUDA Colony here, he said these bhawans would act as a catalyst for the welfare of the Christian community. “I reiterate the firm commitment of the state government to ensure the progress of the community. My government will leave no stone unturned for this noble cause,” said Badal. The Christian community had been demanding the setting up of these bhavans for a long time.

The CM said the state government was committed to providing suitable land to the community to bury their dead and had put the deputy commissioners (DCs) on the task.

With an eye on the muncipal elections, Badal said a large number of pro-poor schemes had been initiated by the state government for the welfare of the Christians. The state government had extended the Shagun Scheme to the community. “Likewise, the state government is giving scholarship to students of the community to help them to pursue their studies,” he said.

Lauding the community for its yeoman’s services in the field of education and healthcare, Badal said: “ I am grateful to the community for making efforts to serve the poor and the needy. The state government will give all support and cooperation to the community in this noble cause.”

Badal said both the Christians and the Sikhs had a rich tradition of fighting tyranny, oppression and injustice. “While Lord Jesus Christ laid down his life for peace, harmony and love, the Sikh Gurus opposed the mighty rulers and preached universal brotherhood,” he said.

Terming the SAD-BJP government as the most secular in the country, the Chief Minister said his government hads initiated several steps for the welfare of every strata of society. Citing an example, he said Punjab was probably the only state in the country where a state-level function was held to celebrate Christmas.

Also, the state government had given due representation to every minority community on the state’s Minority Commission, whose Chairman, Munawar Masih, was a Christian.

“We are following in the footsteps of the great Sikh Gurus who have taught us the message of harmony, love, brotherhood and peace” the Chief Minister said. Speaking on the occasions, Revenue and Information and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia lauded the role played by the Christians in the development of the country and that of the state in particular.

Expressing concern at the recent ‘forcible conversions’ in certain parts of the country, the Revenue Minister assured the Christian community that this would not be allowed in Punjab.