Catholic Church leaders in India’s Kerala state called for “stringent action” against a Muslim who was arrested for allegedly burning a copy of the Bible and uploading a video on the internet.
“The government should protect the religious rights of every citizen as is in the case of protecting life and wealth,” said Father Jacob G Palakkappilly, spokesperson of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, was quoted as saying in a report on Matters India.
The priest said the incident was “a deliberate attempt to disturb communal peace and harmony in society.”
On January 31, police arrested Mohammed Mustafa, a resident of Kasargod district after a video of him burning the Bible went viral. He claimed that what he did was a retaliation to the burning of the Koran in Sweden.
A far-right Danish politician Rasmus Paludan burnt a copy of the Koran outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Enraged Muslims in many parts of the world protested the incident.
Father Palakkappilly appealed to everyone to ensure that no one is allowed to disturb communal peace by hurting the religious sentiments of people of any religion.
He said Mustafa also removed statues of the Baby Jesus and others from a crib in a government hospital last Christmas.
The priest dismissed reports claiming that the accused was insane as an attempt to save him from punishment.
The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance also condemned the incident.
Father Michael Pulickal, the commission secretary, described the incident as a “very painful thing for Christians across the globe.”
Christians form 18.38 percent of Kerala’s 33 million people and come third after Hindus, 54.56 percent, and Muslims 26.56 percent.
