Two Pastors arrested in Rajasthan
By Madhu Chandra
Special to ASSIST News Service
NEW DELHI, INDIA (ANS) — Police arrested Pastor Philip Abraham from Noida and Pastor Jacob Kunjumon from Mumbai in Ganga Nagar, Rajasthan on March 23, 2007 with the charges of alleged force conversion and insulting Hindu gods.
Sources reaching to All India Christian Council, told that both the pastors went to Ganga Nagar to attend a prayer meeting organized by a church in Ganga Nagar. They were arrested by local police while they were returning to Delhi.
Hari Ram at the local police station in charge, he told to All India Christian Council that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS – Hindu Fanatic group) leader Mr. Omes Kumar Aggrawal S/o Mr. Mandal Aggrawal lodged a complain against two pastors have been insulting Hindu gods, religion and alluring people to convert to Christianity for last one month.
Mr. Ram reports further that both have been booked under section 295 of Indian Penal Code for provoking the enmity between different religions and hurting the religious sentimental. The case has been registered under 123/2007. A laptop and documents belonging to both pastors have reported ceased from their custody. Both the pastors were produced before district magistrate on Saturday and released on bail
Pastor Johnson from Assembly of God Church denies the allegation given by Mr. Aggrawal that both pastors were there for last one month involved in insulting Hindu gods. Pastor Johnson said that both the pastors went there only on March 22, 2007 from Noida.
After RSS activists attacked on Emmanuel International Ministry at Kota and latter sealed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state Government last year, the attacks and accusation on Christian minorities have increased.
Rajasthan BJP Government passed Freedom of Religion Bill 2006 in April 2006, which in nature is the anti-conversion and anti-secularism yet Governor refused to sign it into the law.
All India Christian Council condemns the allegation of Hindutva forces on Christian minorities and appeal Rajasthan Government to protect the fundamental rights of every citizen from the hands of fascist forces.
From Dalit Freedom Network In association with A.I.C.C./SC-ST Federations