Ban on non–Hindus from entering many cities in Andhra Pradesh

The latest bill adopted by the Andhra Pradesh State Assembly prohibits religious propaganda near sacred Hindu shrines.

Minister J. Ratnakar Rao the Endowments Minister, explained that the new law is to ensure that the feelings of the Hindu religious groups were not offended and that public order was maintained.

State Legislator Christine Lazarus feared that the new law might stand a "weapon against non–Hindus."

Although the members of CMP, Communist party of India and the Majlis–e–Ittehadul Muslimeen protested against the bill, the verdict stood strong for the supporters from Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the Baharitya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress Party.

Mgr Marampudi Joji, archbishop of Hyderabad, told media that "the Christian Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy submitted to the will of Hindu extremist groups who have taken advantage of his Christian identity to blackmail him."

"This bill goes against many of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution and discriminates against non–Hindus”
“Under the Indian constitution, can a state government set up a body to propagate a particular religion?” he argued.

Although the bills were recently adopted, many Christians have been reported attacked and injured in the past.

Executive secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches, Fr Anthoniraj Thumma said, "Ultimately this law violates Article 30 of the constitution, which recognises the right to practice one’s faith, and denies non–Hindus their mobility rights and the right to conduct their activities in the indicated areas."

Meanwhile BJP leader Sri Bandaru Dattattreya claiming victory has demanded all non–Hindu officials be removed from their appointed positions.