Mumbai: BJP politician under investigation for “rewarding” violent acts against Christians
Gopichand Padalkar, a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, mocked the foundations of the Christian faith at a rally and promised money for attacks against believers. He also linked the suicide of a woman in Jalna to alleged “forced conversions”. For weeks, despite protests and complaints, the judiciary refused to open a case file.
Delhi (AsiaNews) - After weeks of controversy sparked by derogatory and hateful comments on religious grounds, the High Court in Mumbai yesterday launched a public interest litigation (PIL) against Gopichand Padalkar, a member of the BJP and the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (the lower house). The legal action was prompted by the ‘derogatory remarks’ made by the politician, who is a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party. The petition alleges that Padalkar made “inflammatory” statements linking the suicide of a woman to forced religious conversions by Christian missionaries, mocking the foundations of faith and offering “rewards” for “acts of violence” against members of the minority.
The petition filed by Thane-based activist Melwyn Fernandes claims that on 17 June, during a public rally in Kupwad, Sangli, the BJP politician made inflammatory and sectarian statements. In particular, Gopichand Padalkar allegedly linked the suicide of a woman from Jalna on 6 June to alleged “forced religious conversions” by Christian clergy. According to the complainants, these allegations constitute an abuse of public power and are a ‘malicious attempt to defame the Christian community, foment discord between communities and usurp the role of the investigating authorities, thereby undermining the rule of law.’
A video of the Legislative Assembly member's speech is publicly available on online platforms such as YouTube, social networks and news outlets. In the video, Padalkar allegedly stated that “rewards” were being offered to those who beat Christians practising religious conversions and to those who killed priests. The BJP politician, from the Jat constituency in Sangli district, allegedly continued to make comments that ‘foment divisions between communities, thereby fuelling hatred and mistrust towards the religious minority,’ according to the petition. The MP also allegedly ‘mocked the fundamental principles of the Christian faith by ridiculing sacred religious beliefs.’ ‘If Jesus can really perform miracles, let him remove me from my office, then I will listen to you. But he does nothing. So,’ Padalkar said, ‘why all these protests?’
The petitioner claims that despite widespread public outrage and peaceful protests by more than 5,000 Christians and other concerned people across Maharashtra, including Mumbai, the authorities have not initiated any criminal proceedings against Padalkar and his supporters. ‘This inaction,’ says activist Melwyn Fernandes, ‘reflects institutional apathy, encourages political impunity and undermines public confidence in the constitution, governance and the rule of law.’ ‘The statements,’ he added, ‘have the dangerous potential to radicalise economically and socially vulnerable individuals, incite mass violence and disturb community harmony, particularly towards Christian minorities.’
The PIL petitioners are asking the court to order the state to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Padalkar under sections 153A (promotion of enmity between groups), 196 (promotion of enmity based on religion, etc.), etc.), 351 (criminal intimidation), 74 (assault on women) 352 (intentional violation of peace) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for ‘provocative speeches that constitute a serious threat to community harmony, public order and secular ethics enshrined in the Indian Constitution’.
Finally, also in Maharashtra, there is recent news that Dalits (outcastes) who convert to Christianity or Islam will lose the privileges and prerogatives granted to scheduled castes, the so-called ‘recognised castes’. This was stated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who formalised the application of a Supreme Court ruling on the matter in November last year. The benefits, he explains, will be guaranteed only to Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh Dalits, excluding those of the Christian and Muslim faiths, who risk further marginalisation.
