(Photo: AP CM website)
Chief Minister Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy Launching MAKHTESHM AGAN Israeli Technology at AP Farmers Door Step at Seconderabad on 13 July 2009
Posted on 09/03/2009 8:52:09 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Prominent Indian Christian Politician Dies in Chopper Crash
Thu, Sep. 03, 2009 Posted: 11:20 AM EDT
Dr. Y.S Rajashekhara Reddy, Chief Minister of Indian state of Andhra Pradesh died in a helicopter crash along with four others on Wednesday while traveling from the state capital Hyderabad to Chittoor district.
Under his leadership, the state had appealed to the federal government to amend the Indian Constitution to provide for granting the Scheduled Caste status to millions of Untouchable ‘Dalit’ Christians that will give them many benefits.
The 60-year-old chief minister, popularly known as YSR, was going to Chittor for a mass contact programme when his helicopter met an accident - prompted by bad weather, the charred and decomposed bodies of AP Chief Minister and four others were found Thursday in Nallamala forest in Kurnool district, 24 hours after the accident was reported, according to Press Trust of India (PTI).
Reddy, in his second term as AP Chief Minister was credited to steering his Congress party in May to a second stint in power; along with him in the ill-fated helicopter was his principal secretary P. Subramaniam, his chief security officer A.S.C. John Wesley and the two pilots - Group Captain S.K. Bhatia and Captain M.S. Reddy.
Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has deeply mourned the death of CM Reddy, who was a medical practitioner before he entered politics.
Dr Sajan K George, GCIC National President has expressed his condolence over the untimely death of Dr. YSR Reddy. Dr Sajan said, “Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was a pro poor politician and his death is a big loss for the State.”
“His leadership was invaluable and he was one of the leading figures of the country.
“Thanks to Dr. YSR Reddy, Andhra Pradesh State Assembly adopted a resolution seeking Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians.”
“Dr. Reddy had appealed to the Centre to amend the Indian Constitution to provide for granting the Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians,” Dr. Sajan said.
Born into a protestant Christian family at Pulivendula in Cuddapah district on July 8, 1949, YSR led Congress party to second term in the state legislative assembly and also increased its tally of Member of Parliament the state sends to the Federal government. Out of 42 MP seats in AP, Congress party bagged 33 seats surprising the opposition which contributed much to the total strength of Congress MPs in the Parliament for the formation of a stable federal government.
PTI reported that the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, adopted a resolution highlighting various welfare schemes implemented by him during his first tenure as Chief Minister.
"He gave a new thrust to the women's self-help group movement and made Andhra Pradesh the leading state in enrolment and empowerment of women," it said.
Describing Reddy, a qualified doctor, as a "natural reformer and moderniser", the resolution said the overwhelming support of the poor and the middle classes as well as those belonging to SC, ST and OBC people, ensured his victory in the assembly elections held in May this year, and enabled him a second term in office as chief minister.
"Reddy has passed away in tragic circumstances. He was at the peak of his political career and popularity when the hand of fate intervened. In his death, the country as lost an eminent political leader, an astute administrator and above all a friend of the poor and downtrodden," it said, adding that the Cabinet has placed on record its deep sense of grief and loss and extended its condolences to his family.
Meanwhile, K Rosaiah, 77-year-old Finance Minister and the senior most Congress leader was on sworn in Wednesday as the new Chief Minister of the state.
The state government has declared seven days mourning from today to September 9, as a mark of respect to Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Times of India reported today.
The chief minister’s body will be kept at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium from Friday morning till about 1 p.m. to allow the general public and the political leadership to pay their last respects.
It will then be flown to his native village in Cuddapah district for final rites like other Christians do when they died.
“GCIC offers sincere condolences to his wife and children and prays that the Sovereign Lord grants Eternal Rest and Peace to His Soul,” Bangalore-based Christian advocacy group said in a public statement.
Joseph Keenan CP South and Southeast Asia Correspondent
(Photo: AP CM website)
Chief Minister Dr.Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy Launching MAKHTESHM AGAN Israeli Technology at AP Farmers Door Step at Seconderabad on 13 July 2009
It’s my understanding that Hindus don’t have much use for Christians and are inclined to look down on them.I wonder if this man might have been murdered.
Umm, if he was by far the most popular politician in his state and probably among the most powerful regional leaders in India and most Hindus had no issues supporting him irrespective of his religion.
And for what it’s worth-the leader of India’s ruling party is an Italian born Catholic.
Prayers for this man’s family and if he was truly a Christian he is with the Lord.
The caste system is wicked and vile — and I really had no idea that it still existed in India (I had thought it was disposed of decades ago). We are ALL made in God’s image.
The caste sytem is ingrained in Hindu belief systems. Only the Brahmin caste can aspire to be Hindu temple priests. Yes, it is a vile and despicable form of slavery.
The caste “mentality” is not exactly absent in other religions in India including Christianity and Islam. Being an Indian Christian, I can vouch for that.
Yeah, I sadly know all too much about that — you see, I was raised as a Hindu (my parents are from Sri Lanka). Would go to the Hindu Temple in Calabasas before I was saved.
Regardless, I had thought that the caste system was done with — I know that it was something that Gandhi had opposed. But maybe my public school education has failed me again. LOL.
I guess under Socialism "Some animals are more equal than others"I thought when India went Socialist
"all men would be equal"
That’s too bad — re: Indian Christians having a caste mentality. I would guess it’s become a cultural thing rather than religious thing by now. We’ll continue to pray for them.
I’m of Sri Lankan descent (parents are Hindus). It’s a pleasure to meet you :)
It is a cultural thing and it’s too deep-rooted to die out by a few laws or development initiatives. If anything, caste identity particularly among once weaker groups, has become more important with the growth of new affirmative action programmes.
Nice 2 meet u 2!!
He couldn't have become the Chief Minister without the votes from the Hindu majority.
“The caste sytem is ingrained in Hindu belief systems.”
Its not.
The caste system is no more than a deeper ingrained CLASS system — and it has decayed in the cities (just like classes merged in urban congolmerations in Europe, but lingered on in the rural areas). It’s still there but not as prevalent as it once was, due to the increased urbanization of India
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