Maharashtra Pastor Arrest: Leaders Decry Rising Religious Tension
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The recent arrest of a Keralite pastor, his wife, and twelve other individuals in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is fueling concerns about rising religious intolerance and prompting a significant political backlash. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Indian National Congress have both strongly criticized the arrests, labeling them a ‘worrying trend.’
The arrests have triggered protests and drawn accusations of a targeted campaign against the Christian community. Critics point to the involvement of the Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist organization, in the events leading up to the arrests, alleging a ‘hate-filled agenda.’
Political figures have accused the Sangh Parivar – a family of Hindu nationalist organizations – of hypocrisy, claiming the arrests expose a duplicitous approach to religious harmony. Church leadership has also expressed dismay at the central government’s perceived silence on the escalating attacks against Christians. Demands are growing for swift action against those responsible and assurances of protection for religious minorities.
