Centre, States Must Reassure Minorities of Safety, Says Cardinal Poola Anthony

Hyderabad, February 16, 2026: In an interview with The Indian Express, Cardinal Poola Anthony, the first Dalit to head the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), called on both the Centre and state governments to publicly reassure minorities that they are safe, stressing that visible commitment to constitutional freedoms is essential to strengthen public confidence in India.

Speaking after assuming leadership of the CBCI in Hyderabad, Cardinal Anthony said violence or intimidation against any religious community is unacceptable in a democratic society. He urged authorities to ensure prompt and impartial investigation of such incidents and to uphold the rule of law without ideological bias.

He described the Christian community in India as resilient and deeply engaged in service, noting that the Church’s mission extends beyond numbers to contributions in education, healthcare, and social welfare. Rather than responding with fear, he said, Christians should continue to serve society with compassion and integrity while seeking justice through lawful means.

Addressing concerns over anti-conversion laws in several states, the Cardinal reaffirmed that faith must remain a free and personal choice. While rejecting forced or fraudulent conversions, he cautioned that broadly framed laws risk misuse, creating suspicion and obstructing legitimate religious activity rooted in service and charity. Freedom of conscience, he emphasised, is a fundamental constitutional right.

On the demand for Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians, Cardinal Anthony described the issue as one of justice and equality, observing that caste-based discrimination often persists socially even after conversion. Extending constitutional safeguards, he said, should address historical disadvantage rather than religious identity.

As a Dalit leader at the helm of the CBCI, he underscored the importance of greater inclusion within both Church structures and society, advocating increased representation of Dalits, tribal communities, women, and other marginalised groups in leadership roles. He affirmed that the Church would continue to promote social harmony, dignity, and equal opportunity for all citizens.

Calling for renewed trust between communities and the state, Cardinal Anthony said public assurances from governments would help calm anxieties and reaffirm the country’s commitment to pluralism and constitutional values.

Source: The Indian Express

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