Indian Christians join a protest rally in Mumbai on July 11, demanding the arrest and punishment of a pro-Hindu lawmaker who declared bounties for attacking and killing pastors and missionaries.
Newsroom (11 July 2025, Gaudium Press) Approximately 7,000 Christians took to the streets of Mumbai, India’s financial capital, on July 11, demanding the arrest and prosecution of Gopichand Padalkar, a pro-Hindu lawmaker from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The legislator recently sparked outrage by announcing bounties for attacking and killing Christian pastors and missionaries.
The peaceful rally, held at Azad Maidan grounds in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state, saw protesters chanting slogans and holding banners calling for criminal charges against Padalkar. Organized by the Sakal Christi Samaj Maharashtra (All Maharashtra Christian Coalition), the demonstration included members of various Christian organizations.
“Padalkar’s public announcement of bounties two weeks ago has deeply hurt our religious sentiments and incited violence against our community,” Cyril Dara, convener of the coalition, told UCA News. He added that the protesters also demanded Padalkar’s expulsion from the BJP, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to deter future attacks on Christians, including vandalism of churches and assaults on religious leaders.
In a statement, the coalition emphasized the need for government protection and swift action against the lawmaker. “This action will help curb future atrocities on the Christian community,” it read.
The protest follows a June 17 social media video in which Padalkar accused Christian pastors and missionaries of converting Hindus and tribal communities. He offered 300,000 rupees (US$3,500) for assaulting a priest, 500,000 rupees (US$5,800) for breaking their limbs, and 1.1 million rupees (US$13,000) for killing one. Padalkar linked his remarks to the suicide of Rutuja Rajge, a 29-year-old pregnant woman in Sangli district, alleging Christian conversion efforts were to blame, though he provided no credible evidence.
Church of North India Bishop Manoj Charan of the Bombay diocese said similar rallies are being held across Maharashtra, demanding Padalkar’s removal from the state legislature and legal action against him. “Violence against Christians and minorities violates their fundamental rights and undermines communal harmony,” said Bento Lobo, vice president of Bombay Catholic Sabha.
Godfrey Pimenta, a Catholic lawyer and trustee of the Mumbai-based Watchdog Foundation, filed a complaint with the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on July 9. He argued that Padalkar’s statements violate Indian laws against promoting religious enmity, inciting violence, and outraging religious sentiments, as well as the NCM Act of 1992 and the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India has ratified.
“This is the BJP’s policy of divide and rule, using Hindu leaders to threaten and suppress minorities,” said Janet D’Souza, former vice president of the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission. Melwyn Fernandes, secretary of the Association of Concerned Christians, called the lack of response from elected officials “shocking,” describing Padalkar’s threats as an attack on India’s democracy.
Catholic lawyer Sunita Banis of the Bombay High Court urged immediate action, stating, “Padalkar should be arrested for spreading hate, inciting violence, and threatening Christian missionaries with monetary rewards.”
The rally underscores growing tensions over religious freedom in India, with Christian leaders calling for accountability to protect their community and preserve communal harmony.
– Raju Hasmukh with files from UCAN News
Related Images:
