Some young Christians have burnt the effigy of a Hindu law maker in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh to protest against his unsavoury statement against Christians and Muslims.
Rameshwar Sharma, a legislator belonging to the ruling pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party, urged Hindus at a religious gathering “to stay away from Father (referring to Christians) and Chadar (referring to Muslims) and Peer Baba (a Sufi Muslim saint).”
The law maker cautioned Hindus that the company of company of Christians and Muslims “will destroy you.”
The legislator’s communal remarks provoked some Christians, who on October 18 burnt his effigy at Lilly Talkies Square in the state capital of Bhopal.
“This time we burnt Sharma’s effigy at a public place to caution him,” Jerry Paul, the national president of the Sarva Isai Mahasabha (grand council of all Christians), told Matters India, October 22.
“If the legislator repeats the same, we will not hesitate to burn his effigy in front of his house and lodge police case against him for creating communal discord among people on religious lines,” Paul warned.
Sharma believed to have made the remarks at a Dussehra celebration on October 15 in Bhopal. It came to light through a video clipping on social media two-days later.
The legislator further urged Hindus to stop using “good morning” (apparently referring to European culture and Christianity) and instead use “Jai Shree Ram” (hail Lord Ram) to greet people.
Meanwhile Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal condemned the legislator’s divisive remarks. “An MLA representing the people of a state should have a sense of what to speak and what not to speak in public forum,” the prelate said.