Declare Anglo-Indians separate minority community: MP Charles Dias

NEW DELHI: Noting that a majority of Anglo- Indians in the country were facing a "severe economic crisis", a Lok Sabha MP has asked the government to declare them as a separate minority community.

Anglo-Indian representative in Lok Sabha, Charles Dias, also said that a representative from the community should be nominated to the National Commmission for Minorities.

Anglo-Indians cannot protect their culture and move forward unless they are notified as a separate minority community, Dias said.

He said that the community would find it difficult to maintain its culture and identity, "without representation in bodies like the National Commission for Minorities to ensure... all-round socio-economic development".

Dias said he had raised the matter in Lok Sabha on Tuesday under Rule 377.

"Anglo-Indians maintain a unique culture, with English as their language. Today, a majority of them are facing severe economic problems. Many of the (community's) youths are unemployed. In view of this, Anglo-Indians should be declared a minority community," Congress MP Dias said.

Most Anglo-Indians in the country belong to the minority Christian community. The demand for a separate minority status for themselves is part of efforts by Anglo-Indians to protect their unique cultural identity and heritage.