The Kerala Police on, Monday, registered an FIR against Catholic Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt under Section 153A (promoting enmity between religious groups) and Section 153B (assertions prejudicial to national integration) of the Indian Penal Code.

The FIR is for his remark about 'Narcotic Jihad' and 'Love Jihad' in the state. The Bishop had said on September, 9 while addressing devotees in a Church that youngsters are facing the unprecedented threats of 'Love Jihad' and 'Narcotic Jihad' in the state. He quoted the Ex-DGP of Kerala Loknath Behera, who had said that Kerala has become a recruitment center of terrorists. The Bishop had said that 'Jihadis' have realized that it is not possible to use arms to destroy other religions in a democracy and hence they are now resorting to methods that are not easily identifiable, to achieve their goal. He had said that 'Love Jihad' and 'Narcotic Jihad' are two such methods.

The Kuravilangad police registered the case against the Bishop of Pala diocese pursuant to a direction by a Magistrate Court to investigate based on a complaint filed by a leader of All India Imams Council.

The petition seeking registration of an FIR against the Bishop was filed by Abdul Aziz Maulavi, the Kottayam district president of the council.

He moved the Court after the Police refused to register an FIR against the Bishop on the basis of his complaint.

Earlier, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the state government has no intention to initiate any legal proceedings against the Bishop for his controversial remarks.



With PTI inputs

Section 153B of IPCSection 153A of IPCKerala

Verdictum News Desk