Quota denial disappoints Anglos

Hyderabad: The Lok Sabha on Tuesday did not extend reservations to the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha and state legislature. This has caused considerable consternation in the community.

The community has had representatives in the Lok Sabha and the assemblies for 70 years.

Ms Christina Lazarus, nominated to represent Anglo-Indians in the Asse-mbly in undivided AP, questioned the basis on which the community was excluded by the legislation passed on Tuesday.

“On what basis has the Centre come to the conclusion that there are only 296 members of the Anglo-Indian community? Was there any factual study conducted? There are more than 3,47,000 Anglo-Indians in this country and we cannot forget their contribution to this country,” Ms Lazarus said.

She said Anglo-Indians worked in the railways, in education, nursing and nine out of 11 players in the first Indian hockey team to the Olympics were from the community. “The contingent got us gold. We also served in the armed forces. I will be glad if this reservation is extended.”

She also added, “The All India Anglo-Indian Asso-ciation counts only Bri-tish descendants as Anglo-Indians. But the Federa-tion of Anglo-Indian Associations in India which includes 14 constituent associations from various states counts all European descendants as Anglo-Indians and that is the correct criteria in accordance with Article 366 (2).”

Article 366 (2) says: “An Anglo-Indian means a person whose father or any of whose other male progenitors in the male line is or was of European descent but who is domiciled within the territory of India  and is or was born within such territory of  parents habitually resident therein and not established there for temporary purpose only.”

When contacted, nominated MLA, Elvis Stephen-son, refused to comment.

On the other hand, Sunil Parmar a chartered accountant, says, “Now, decades after Indepen-dence, I feel there is no need to continue this reservation. When we got our Independence, they were left with a choice to have their own state but Frank Anthony, who was a prominent leader of the Anglo-Indian community, did not accept that proposal, since they are a minority. To ensure that their voice is not lost, this reservation was given at that time.”

“My father served in the police, when we had a choice to migrate. We stood united and we were patriotic. We joined hands in nation-building. Why does the government want to mute our voice? I request the lawmakers to rethink,” said Charlie Paul, a musician.