Around 700 Christian missionary schools, which fall under the School Education department, are affiliated to the state boards for Madhyamik and Higher Secondary education.

The missionary institutions are now demanding the status of minority educational institutes with respect to their functioning, appointment of teachers and waiver of reservation criteria. “We want to join the minorities department of the state government. We have met the minister of state for minorities in this regard,” said Herod Mullick, Secretary of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba.

He said this at a gathering of the representatives of the Christian community in Esplanade on Friday to protest against the alleged apathy of the state government towards missionary schools and the community.

“It’s because of the attitude of the School Education department and its unwillingness in giving no-objection certificates to the institutions that there has been no development in a number of Christian schools,” a representative said.

Minister for Minority Development and Madrasah Education, Abdus Sattar, said: “We have forwarded their demands to the School Education department. At present, the department administers these Christian missionary schools as per government rules. Our role is to see there is no infringement of minority rights.”

Ashok Biswas, Bishop of Calcutta, Churches of North India (CNI), said: “We are being deprived of a number of rights with regard to minority educational institutions. Not only Christians, but students from other communities also study in these schools. Teachers belonging to all communities also teach here.”

The representatives of the community pointed out that of the 10 lakh Christians in the state, about 40 per cent are tribals and over 50 per cent are from Other Backward Classes. “The state government does not provide ST certificates in case of tribals and Adivasis, and OBC certificates for backward classes,” said another representative.