Meeting with Hon'ble CM Shri H.D.Kumaraswamy
Bangalore, 28th April 2006: A delegation from the Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations of Karnataka, met the Karnataka Chief Minister Shri. H.D. Kumaraswamy at his Home office "Krishna" on the 27th of April (evening). Chairman Mr. Valerian Fernandes led the delegation and submitted the memorandum highlighting the grievances of our Community.
Following demands were made:
1) Chairmanship for Christians in the Karnataka State Minority Commission and Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation. -The Karnataka state Minority commission and Minorities Development Corporation were established in the year 1983 and 1986 respectively but since it's inception, the Chairmenship has invariably gone to only one community among the minorities. Mr. Fernandes demanded that Chairmenship should be given to other minority communities like Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis, on a rotation basis. Christians being a second largest community among minorities after Muslims, certainly deserve Chairmanship in the Board and the Commission during the next term.
2) Nomination of a Konkani Catholic /Christian for a Rajya Sabha or Karnataka Legislative Council Seat : Mr. Fernandes showed his concern that there is no representation in the state Cabinet from the community. He demanded that a Konkani Christian should be nominated as MLC to represent the community.
3) Inclusion of Konkani in the Horanadu and Gadinadu Kannadiga's quota for reservation in the CET (common Entrance test ) for the Engineering, Medical, Dental and other professional courses. This facility is extended to Kannadigas whose mother tongue is Tulu and Kodava apart from Kannada. Konkani speaking Kannadigas are deprived of this. Mr. Fernandes demanded that Konkani speaking people of Karnataka origin should also be treated equally. This facility will help the children of many Konkani speaking Kannadigas presently residing outside Karnataka. This will also help non-Christians like Kharvis, Navayaths, Kudumbis etc whose mother tongue is also Konkani.
4) Representation to Christians in the various State level undertakings, Boards and Corporations : Mr. Fernandes requested the Chief Minister to consider the eminent , deserving Christians for the Chairmenship and members for the state level undertakings, Boards and Corporations as a token of appreciation of their service and contribution to society in the different walks of life.
Chief Minister told the delegation that he does not believe in just giving assurances instead he informed that he will try his best to do whatever possible at his end.
General Secretary- Charles Gomes, Former Chairman of the Federation - Brigadier Gerald Gonsalves, Former Director General of Police .Sri F.T.R. Colaco and the Presidents of all the member associations were also present as a part of the delegation.
The Federation of Konkani Catholic Associations of Karnataka, established in 1998, is now in its 8th year of existence, comprises of 12 Associations of Konkani Catholics in the different localities of Bangalore, plus another Association in Mysore. Many more Associations in other parts of Bangalore and different districts of Karnataka are in the process of getting affiliated to the Federation.
