UCA News
Contribute

Prelate demands profiling probe

Only a full investigation by a federal agency will reveal details, says archbishop
Prelate demands profiling probe
Published: April 19, 2011 10:36 AM GMT
Updated: April 19, 2011 10:56 AM GMT

A Catholic archbishop in Madhya Pradesh wants India’s top investigating agency to look into a circular that supposedly sought community profiling of Christians in the central Indian state. “We need a thorough probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the circumstances that led the state police department to issue the circular,” Archbishop Leo Cornelio said as he got ready for a press conference in Bhopal, the state capital. The March 22 circular asked heads of police stations in the state to gather details of Christians, their assets and sources of income. The state government and top police officials have disowned the order and asked a senior police official to investigate how such an order was issued. However, Archbishop Cornelio says the Church has no faith in the government probe. “How can we expect justice from the same police department that acted under the influence of some outside force and kept even its own director general in the dark?” he asked. He also said Christians in the state believe the government is backing some fringe groups opposed to Christians. The archbishop refused to name anyone but said only an investigation by a federal agency would reveal such details. He said Christians in Madhya Pradesh have faced a series of attacks after the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people’s party) came to power in December 2003. Police have registered cases against the victims rather than the attackers, he added. Archbishop Leo Cornelio also regretted that Christians are forced to seek police protection during their festivals and feasts such as the Holy Week services. “The government will have to bring to justice the culprits behind the circular to restore Christians’ faith,” in the administration, he added. Christians are a tiny minority in the state, forming less than one percent of the Madhya Pradesh's 60 million people, 91 percent of whom are Hindus.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia