Expressing dissatisfaction over delay in nominating two Anglo-Indian representatives to the Lok Sabha, leaders of the minority community today appealed to the government and BJP to take necessary steps to "protect" their constitutional rights.
The Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations submitted memoranda to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptullah and BJP president Amit Shah seeking their urgent intervention to nominate the Anglo-Indian representatives "without delay".
"It is nine months after the forming of the new Lok Sabha and the NDA government is yet to nominate two Anglo-Indian representatives to the Lok Sabha. We are concerned over the delay from the part of the government," community leader and former Anglo-Indian representative in Lok Sabha, Charles Dias, told PTI.
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"The government must take urgent steps for nomination of Anglo-Indian Members to the Lok Sabha as per Article 331 of the Constitution of India. The community has been denied opportunity to represent themselves as per the Constitutional provision," Dias said.
He said the Anglo-Indian community which is numbering about four lakhs are scattered across the country and through their representatives in Parliament and state legislative Assemblies they were able to redress their grievances to some extent.
"While the community is struggling to survive, lack of educational facilities, housing problems and identity crisis have put the community in a difficult situation," he said.
"Soon after the constitution of the 16th Lok Sabha, names have been presented to the Hon'ble President and Prime Minister for consideration of nomination. But, the unjustifiable delay has caused practically loss 1/5 of the period," the community said in a release.
"They have been denied to represent in the Lok Sabha, various Parliamentary Committees, MPLAD Funds allocations and seats in Kendriya Vidyalas," said community leader and former Andhra Pradesh MLA Christine Lazares.
