Christian assaulted, arrested at healing crusade in Orissa for selling 'anti–Hindu' book

A 25–year old believer was assaulted by a mob of Hindu fundamentalists and arrested by the police in Orissa, following complaints that he was distributing Christian literature at a evangelistic healing crusade and attempting to convert people.

Amit Kumar Raul of Sutahat, Cuttack, was arrested by the police on October 27 and charged with "causing communal disharmony" after activists affiliated to the Hindu extremist outfit, Hindu Jagran Samukhya, complained that he was selling anti–Hindu literature at the "Peace Festival and Healing Crusade" in Gudripadri village, near Udayagiri town, in Kandhamal district of Orissa.

According to the complaint, the activists were browsing through the books displayed at Raul's book stall which he had set up at the venue and came upon a book entitled, Oh, You Hindu, Awake written by R.K. Chatterjee, published by Dalit Forum Journal, Kolkata.

Without even going through its contents, the activists began hurling abuses at Raul and manhandled him and attempted to break down his stall.

Soon thereafter, activists of the Hindu umbrella group, Sangh Parivar, arrived at the scene with local police and had him arrested on grounds of "causing communal disharmony."

According to Asit Mohanty, state coordinator of Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), Raul's bail plea was rejected by the Judicial Magistrate First Class Court at Baliguda court on October 28 and he continues to languish in jail.

"The complainants are backed by strong political influences of the state," Mohanty warned. "The area is currently very tense. The local Christians are terrified, anticipating an attack from the Sangh Parivar radicals."

According to Baliguda Superintendent of Police, Satish Gojvie, the local Hindu leaders had even demanded the arrest of other Christian leaders but only Amit Kumar Raul was arrested as he was selling an "offensive book."

"If Raul could be arrested with the charges of provoking enmity between different religions, then L. K. Advani, Arun Shouries and many other members of Sangh Parivar can be arrested under same section of IPC for provocative speeches and writings against minorities and Dalits," quipped John Dayal, secretary general, All India Christian Council (AICC).

According to sources close to the development, Raul was just one of many Christian booksellers at the festival. The healing crusade, attended by thousands of believers, featured as main speakers S.R. Manohar and his wife, Madhu, of Rays of Love Trust, along with Sam Taylor of Eternal Light Ministries.

Prior to the evangelistic rally, local Hindu extremists had issued threats to organizers of the festival. However, led by Christian Jana Kalyan Samaj, the organizers had obtained permission from the state administration for the event.