Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jammu (Agenzia Fides) - Police in the Indian state of "Jammu and Kashmir" have arrested a Christian couple in the town of Bandipora on charges of "promoting hatred", while they were just handing out pamphlets about the Christian faith. The couple coming from Delhi, were distributing pamphlets in Bandipora market, along with a local girl, when people protested and called the police. The agents confiscated the leaflets, arrested and interrogated the two, who reported they did nothing illegal. The police registered a complaint on the basis of Article. 153a of the Criminal Code ("promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion, race, birth, residence"). The offense provides for imprisonment up to three years and, if the subject is religion, the punishment may extend to five years. According to Christian activists of the "Global Council of Indian Christians", "the complaint is unfair and unconstitutional" and the Christians "must be released immediately. " The arrest of the two comes six months after the case of the Rev. C.M. Khanna, a Christian priest arrested in Srinagar in November last year. An Islamic court had issued a condemnation and a deportation order against him for "forced conversions". In February the High Court of the state of Jammu and Kashmir canceled the charges, establishing his right to reside in India (see Fides 13/02/2012). (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/4/2012)
