EFI NEWS

Derogatory Images of Christ creates tension in two States of India February 22, 2010: EFI expresses concern at the recent incidents in the states of Meghalaya and Punjab where derogatory pictures of Jesus Christ appeared in two separate incidents. Pictures of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a beer can in the other in a book for primary classes triggered a row in Meghalaya on Friday. The objectionable pictures were found in the cursive writing exercise books at a school in Shillong published by a New Delhi-based Skyline Publications. The government in the Indian state of Meghalaya has confiscated textbooks and is contemplating legal action against the New Delhi based publisher. The book has been used for primary classes and has caused a furore in the north-eastern state, where more than 70% of the population are Christians. In another incident, in Jalandhar, Punjab, on 17th February 2010, a hoarding for an upcoming Hindu procession was noticed by some Christians to contain a similar objectionable picture of Lord Jesus Christ. Although the hoarding contained picture of other religious deities in their usual manner but image of Christ was depicted as holding an alcoholic beverage in one hand and a cigarette in the other. As the local Christians gathered and protested against the picture, it was removed on the same day by the authorities. According to EFI correspondent Rev. Isaac Dutta, the hoarding was sponsored by a person identified as Pritpal Singh and was designed by Mr. Raj Kumar of M/S Bawa Glow Signs, Jalandhar. Due to immense pressure from local Christians, the police registered a case against Mr. Pritpal Singh and Mr. Raj Kumar, for hurting religious sentiments under sections 295 A and 120 B of IPC. The premise of M/S Bawa Glow Signs has been sealed. However, reacting to the protest staged by the Christians, some Hindu extremists armed with weapons beat up the priests of the Church of North India (CNI) and the Salvation Army Church, burned and looted the two churches and the houses of the priests. Shockingly, the Hindu extremists went on with the rampage while the police remained mute spectators. Moreover, the church leaders and members were questioned and detained in the police station while the extremists were left scot free, reported Bishop’s Commissary’s Associate of the ECI Church Delhi Dioecese, Aroon Kumar Dass. (See EFI Persecution Report February 21, 2010) While curfew was clamped in certain parts of the state, the local administration was taking measures to restore calm to the region. Kindly pray for justice and peace in the both the states and for appropriate action to be taken by the state governments.

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell

General Secretary

Evangelical Fellowship of India New Delhi,

India

Evangelical Fellowship of India (established 1951) is a charter member of World Evangelical Alliance, an accredited NGO with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations