Latest news with #AntonysamySavarimuthu
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Dalit Christians seek SC status, hoist black flag at St Mary's Cathedral in protest
1 2 3 4 Madurai: A black flag was hoisted at St Mary's Cathedral here on Sunday as part of a protest demanding the inclusion of dalit Christians in the Scheduled Castes (SC) list. The demonstration was led by Archbishop of Madurai Antonysamy Savarimuthu and Bishop Jeyasingh Prince Prabhakar. Addressing reporters, Archbishop Savarimuthu said the demand was not for any special favour but for rightful entitlements. "This is not a protest of dalit Christians or Christians alone; it is not a minority protest. Every citizen must get their rights," he said. He noted that dalit Sikhs and Buddhists were included in the SC list after protests, but dalit Christians have been denied the same for 75 years on religious grounds. The protest was joined by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi's Ellalan, Madurai South MLA Boominathan, Untouchability Eradication Front Madurai district president Balasubramanian, Tamil Nadu Women's Movement representative Arokia Mary, and Dalit rights NGO Evidence director Kathir. They urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure constitutional safeguards and reservation benefits for Dalit Christians. MSID:: 123218931 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dalit Christians seek SC/ST status
'Though the Indian Constitution is highly revered by the people across the globe, the principles enshrined in that should be fully implemented,' said Archbishop of Madurai Archdiocese Antonysamy Savarimuthu. He spoke at a protest organised by Dalit Christians demanding inclusion in Scheduled Castes list here on Sunday. Mr. Savarimuthu said August 10 of every year was observed as a black day for Dalit Christians as their demand to bring them under SC list was yet to be fulfilled. 'It is not just the protest staged by Christians, Muslims or minorities, but by those who believe in the Indian Constitution,' he added. While the reservation was expanded to include Sikhs and Buddhists in 1956 and 1990 respectively, it had not included the minorities, he noted. 'The demand has been on since the 1950s. What is our birth right – the status of SC/ST – cannot be taken away from us just because we have converted to Christianity,' he said.
The Hindu
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
New Archbishop of Madurai Archdiocese installed
Antonysamy Savarimuthu was installed as the seventh Archbishop of Madurai Archdiocese at a solemn ceremony in St. Britto Higher Secondary School at Gnanaolivupuram here on Saturday. The ceremony took place in the presence of Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and a battery of bishops and priests. Thousands of Christians converged at the school to witness the ceremony. In a solemn rite, Madurai Archdiocese Chancellor Rev Fr. Angel read out a letter from Pope Francis declaring the elevation of Antonysamy Savarimuthu as Archbishop. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli handed over the sceptre to Antonysamy Savarimuthu. The new archbishop was greeted by his predecessor and also Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli. Following this, priests from Madurai diocese greeted him. The ceremony was marked by singing of religious hymns. Earlier, Archbishop Antonysamy Savarimuthu was the Bishop of Palayamkottai diocese. The archdiocese of Madurai was created in 1938, under which the suffragan dioceses of Sivaganga, Tiruchi, Dindigul, Thoothukudi, Palayamkottai and Kottai share the solidarity of Catholic faith. The previous archbishops of Madurai diocese include Peter Leonard, Justin Diraviam, Casmir Gnanadikam, Marianus Arockiasamy, Peter Fernando and Anthony Pappusamy. Tiruchi East MLA Inigo Irudhayaraj, Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan, BJP State president Nainar Nagendran and across the state bishops were also present.
