- 29 July, 2025
New Delhi, July 28 2025: In a critical press meet held today, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) expressed deep anguish and alarm over the growing climate of hostility and violence directed against minority communities in the country. The CBCI said that minorities are increasingly gripped by fear and pain, finding themselves vulnerable amid rising attacks by communal elements and the disturbing apathy of those entrusted with enforcing the law and upholding constitutional values.
The CBCI drew attention to the ongoing saga of targeted and communal violence, citing a specific instance on 17 June 2025, when BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar reportedly provoked public violence against Christians at Kupwad (Sangli), Maharashtra. According to the CBCI, Padalkar allegedly made the following statement:
"Whoever beats the first priest will get a price of rupees five lakhs, whoever beats the second will get four lakhs and the third will get three lakhs."
The total offered price was reportedly eleven lakhs.
The CBCI asserted that such a statement demands immediate and decisive legal intervention, especially since it was explicit, direct, and circulated via video footage and media outlets. The bishops explained that the speech constituted a clear instance of incitement to religiously motivated violence, qualifying as a grave offence under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The BNS penalises acts that promote enmity between different groups and threaten national unity, prescribing punishments extending up to life imprisonment.
The bishops decried the lack of legal response, stating that despite peaceful demonstrations by thousands of citizens, authorities have reportedly failed to register even a First Information Report (FIR). The CBCI said this inaction stands in stark contrast to the swift legal action often taken against students, activists, and opposition leaders for far less serious expressions such as social media posts or peaceful dissent. The CBCI described this selective enforcement as a grave breach of the Constitution and an alarming erosion of institutional impartiality.
The CBCI also highlighted a troubling incident that occurred on 25 July 2025, involving the arrest of two Catholic religious women at Durg Railway Station. The sisters were reportedly taken into custody at the behest of communal elements for accompanying two girls who were travelling with them. Despite both girls being above 18 years of age and carrying written consent letters from their parents, the arrest proceeded. According to the CBCI, the sisters were allegedly subjected to physical assault, and when the parents arrived, police illegally prevented them from meeting their daughters.
The CBCI also pointed out that the offence under Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968—which was not included in the initial FIR—was later added under Section 173 of the BNSS Report (Time 5.30 PM).
By Catholic Connect Reporter
Image credit: Mathrubhumi News
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