BCC PEACE & UNITY RALLY 2025

Thanks to the CM-Bengal Christian Council gratefully acknowledges the proactive and vigilant role played by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt. Mamata Bandopadhyay in upholding the centuries old ethos and traditions of Bengal in the true spirit of Unity in Diversity, harmonious coexistence of all people irrespective of caste, creed, colour, religion, gender or social status in West Bengal while upholding the sanctity and dignity of Indian Constitution in spite of many challenges and opposition.

Thanks to CM for Minority Status for Schools & Staff Appointment Rules – Bengal Christian Council expresses its deep gratitude and thankfulness to the Chief Minister and Government of West Bengal for conferring Minority Status and publication of Gazette Notification (No. 79-ES/S/10R-14/2013 dated 03.02.2016) regarding Appointment of Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff in the Christian Missionary Educational Institutions (Grants-in-aid) in West Bengal which is in perfect harmony and conformity with the Minonty Rights as enshrined in the Constitution of India.

Role of the Church and Missionary Institutions in Nation Building The Church in India has always been at the forefront of nation building having its presence in every area of activities viz. education, health, social service, women’s empowerment, care for mother and child, youth, elderly and the differently abled. Missionaries from abroad took initiatives in establishing educational institutions not only in the big cities in India but also in rural and interior places in spreading the light of education among the masses and also encouraging women’s education. Many such institutions are still catering to all sections of the society producing scores of immensely successful alumni spread over India and abroad nurturing them with impeccable care and concern in the hallowed portals of those iconic seats of learning; imparting modern, quality education coupled with discipline, instilled with moral and ethical values to the students for years together.

Our Centuries old Educational Institutions – Needless to say, all the Christian Missionary Educatiorial Institutions in Kolkata and all over West Bengal are more than hundred years old and few have already crossed two hundred years. These Institutions are imparting quality and value education to all sections of the society specially keeping in mind the underprivileged, differently-abled and special need children.

Bengal Christian Council is earnestly requesting The Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal to look into the severe challenges which the Heads of Institutions of The Christian Missionary Schools have been facing for a long time in the DI Office, Kolkata in spite of the said Minority Status and Notification as mentioned above:

) Regarding Normal approvals of Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Matters (which are well within the 1

prescribed rules of the said notification) are regularly met with delays, apathy, excuses and lack of minimum courtesy for reasons best known to the DI of Schools, Kolkata. While our Schools continue to provide all the necessary papers, whatever and whenever asked for, this harassment continues unabated resulting in sheer frustration, helplessness and depression on part of the Heads of Institutions and Teaching Staff who regularly visit the DI Office in Kasba Bosepukur, Kolkata. Quite a number of times, we had to move to the Court of Law to receive the said approvals and to establish our Minority Rights. Also, it needs to be highlighted that we, Missionary Schools (Heritage Schools), are continuously providing quality education over the years, but we are deprived, humiliated and face non- cooperation from few Govt. Officials, specially DI office Kolkata. We want a peaceful environment for work, full cooperation from the Di office, Kolkata, to run our institutions smoothly, otherwise, it becomes difficult, frustrating and demotivating to run our institutions on a day to day basis.

2) Regarding School Dress Code – All the Missionary Schools maintain their own dress code in consonance with the centuries old legacy and traditions of our Schools. Though our Schools have been exempted from following the Government Dress Code, we have not received the uniform grant till date in spite of one letter and two reminders sent to the Principal Secretary, School Education Department dated 5″ May, 2022 and reminders on

8 June, 2023 and 2 December, 2023 respectively. No-Objection from W. B. Govt. for ICSE/ISC Affiliation-As a result of all these, being frustrated to the core, we may ask all our Missionary Institutions to apply to the Government of West Bengal for issuance of no-objection certificate to help them take necessary preparations for affiliation to CISCE, New Delhi.

Self-styled Bishops – In the last few years there has been a proliferation of some self-styled Bishops, whose antecedents, authenticity and affiliation are highly doubtful and suspicious. Bengal Christian Council and its Associates do not recognize such self-styled Bishops. These so-called Bishops are making every effort to misguide the Christians and the authorities with their activities and speeches. We are also requesting the Christians of Bengal and the Government authorities to be alert about them and not fall prey into their dubious activities.

Heritage Commission Matters- It is also a matter of concern that over the years, quite a good number of Churches

and Educational Institutions in Kolkata and West Bengal have been declared as heritage structures by the Heritage Commission. We are never informed about such a declaration. In hindsight, while such declarations may seem to add a touch of importarice and glamour to such old buildings, in practical terms they serve no purpose. While regular maintenance and renovation costs are huge, receiving grants from the Heritage Commission remains a distant hope, to be precise. Under these circumstances, we are contemplating to make an appeal to the appropriate authority to do away with such a cosmetic tag to enable us to arrange on our own, to keep the buildings in good condition for years to come, with regular, pertinent, relevant maintenance, upkeep and renovation.

Kolkata, 20″ January, 2025