EMI continues to be harassed by Rajasthan Govt.

The government of Rajasthan has sough to harass Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) president, Dr. Samuel Thomas and its founder, Bishop M.A. Thomas by leveling fresh charges against them – this time accusing them of "exciting . . . disaffection towards the government of India" and seeking to prosecute him under the relevant law.

According to Mohammad Akram, the lawyer who is handling EMI's case, the new charges could lead to issuance of fresh arrest warrant against Dr. Thomas, his father, Bishop Thomas, who were recently released on bail.

It may also jeopardize the mission activities carried out by them, Akram added.

Akram said that the state administrative body of Kota district, in connivance with the local police had reportedly added the charge that the map of India shown on the website of US–based Hopegivers International, which funds EMI, had excluded Jammu and Kashmir states. The accusation was made under Section 124(a) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which outlaws "bringing or attempting to bring into hatred or contempt, or exciting or attempting to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India."

Generally, the law is invoked only when words, spoken or published, criticize any government establishment with intent to create public disorder or disturbance of law and order. An offence under this law can lead to imprisonment for life.

Akram explained that the provisions of the law had nothing to do with the use of India's map but added that since the investigations against the mission leaders were pending in the court, the police would try and "add in more charges."

Akram told Compass that he has applied for anticipatory bail for Bishop Thomas, his son and other EMI workers in a district court after learning about the new charges in the Hindi regional daily Rajasthan Patrika.

The standoff between the state government of Rajasthan and EMI began as early as January this year when some local supporters of Hindu fundamentalist outfits claimed that the mission body had written and published a controversial book, "Haqiqat," which allegedly denigrates Hindu spiritual leaders, gods and goddesses.

Following the complaint, EMI came under severe attack with death threats being leveled against the mission leaders by Hindu extremists groups.

Accusations were also made that the mission body had "illegally imprisoned" little children in the Emmanuel–run orphanage.

Acting on the complaints, arrest warrants were issued against Bishop Thomas and his son. Though Bishop Thomas was granted anticipatory bail by the court, Dr. Thomas along with a few other EMI staff workers were arrested and languished in jail for over a month till their bail was secured.

In the meanwhile, EMI faced severe hardship with Registrar of Societies revoking the registrations of EMI institutions, on the pretext that they had violated procedures required by law.

Besides, the bank accounts of EMI institutions were also frozen forcing the mission group to survive on day–to–day offerings and donations.

EMI operates under five registered societies: Emmanuel Bible Institute Samiti, Emmanuel Anath Ashram (orphanage), Emmanuel School Society, Emmanuel Chikitsalaya (hospital) Samiti, and Emmanuel Believers Fellowship. EMI leads a native church movement receiving aid from US–based Hopegivers International (HI) for humanitarian and educational work with over 10,000 children.