New Delhi: The Laity Council of the Catholic Bishops of Conference of India will observe December 18 as National Minority Rights Day and organize Minority Rights observance programs across the country. These programs will be organized under the auspices of the 14 Regional Councils of the CBCI and various laity organizations, said Chev. Adv V C Sebastian, Secretary, CBCI Laity Council.

It was in 1992 that the United Nations declared December 18 as International Minority Rights Day. On the same day seminars and awareness programs will be organized with a view to making the various minority groups conscious of their rights.

The Laity Council of the CBCI will submit memorandam to the Central and State Governments indicating the major problems confronted by Christian minorities including issues faced by Dalit Christians. Various Christian sectors and denominations will initiate a joint move at national and state levels against the discrimination shown to Christians in minority welfare schemes meant alike for all minorities and attacks against christians recent days.

Adv. V. C. Sebastian requests all Christian institutions across the nation to actively participate in this national level observance of Minority Rights Day organizing study classes and other awareness programs regarding the rights which the Constitution of India guarantees to the minorities, and the hurdles faced in obtaining them.