Andhra chief minister's son-in-law warns against attacks on Christians

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy' s son-in-law Evangelist Anil Kumar on Thursday strongly came out against the attack on five Christians by the BJP in the state. He also said that "people of AP, unlike Orissa or Karnataka, would not keep quiet if such acts are repeated".

At a press conference, Anil Kumar condemned the attack on Christians including three pastors by the BJP who had alleged that police while raiding Kumar's lodge on Monday night found Rs 1 million with him. They claimed that the money was to be distributed among voters to bring back the Reddy government.

The evangelist sternly denied these allegations and said the money was for organising Christian meeting and the police even returned it after an investigation.

The incident occurred when Anil Kumar was in Karim Nagar as guest speaker for a Christian programme. The organisers of the event have also denied any political agenda.

"'Offerings' to pastors were a common practice in such meetings. Actually, they (BJP) wanted to make it an issue. Don't we have right to conduct religious meetings. No one can stop me from attending such meetings. I never talked about parties nor indulged in political campaigning. I am an evangelist, and will not involve in money transactions. In fact, I have been attending such meetings since last eight years,'' Kumar clarified.

He pointed that they were not going to keep quiet like Orissa and Karnataka if Christians were attacked.

He along with Bishop Earnast Komanpally, reverend G Samuel and other evangelists on March 2 asserted that they would support to secular parties, and act against those who indulge in attacks on Christian community.

Kumar's name is under the scrutiny of the Election Commission on separate charges of violating the model code of conduct.