Christians enraged at religious profiling by Madhya Pradesh govt

Evidences showing the sanction of religious profiling of Christians by the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government have angered the Christian community in the state.

The Madhya Pradesh Police Headquarters in March this year issued a circular ordering the police to gather details of Christian population, including the number of Christian schools, priests and churches.

In addition to the strength of the community, the order also seeks the financial status, foreign income, political patronage, Christians with criminal antecedents, economic sources and details of annual functions held at district and tehsil level among many other things.

"This action of the state government has not only hurt the sentiments of the community members but also left a lasting mark that the administration does not treat Christians as equal citizens of the country," says Fr Anand Muttungal, spokesperson of the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh.

"Now it is a matter of serious concern for Christians in the state as the powerful that act against Christians are using police force even without the knowledge of senior most officials like the DGP and the ADGP, IB? Who wants these information and for what purpose?" he asks

"This sort of profiling is done on people who are with criminal records for the police department to keep a track on them. If one goes with this argument, then the government is treating the Christian community as criminals and antisocial elements with a perceived threat to the nation's security?"

The March 22 police circular apparently ask officers-in-charge of police stations in all 50 districts to file reports within "10 days".

The police officials initially approached the community leaders without any copy of the order and tried to gather details verbally. However, when one of the priests objected to it, he was threatened and taken to the police station.

"We have nothing to hide…but the motive of the officials seems not to gather information and suggests something ulterior," says Fr Muttungal.

The Director General of Police and the state's intelligence agencies meanwhile claim to have no information as to who sent the circular.

"Neither the state government wishes this type of profiling, nor the police headquarters. We are looking into who issued it," Ashok Kumar Saini, Inspector General Intelligence in Madhya Pradesh Police, told NDTV.