False murder charges; 10,000 Christians protest in Andhra Pradesh

The murder allegation against a priest and four students of a dental college in Andhra Pradesh led more than 10,000 Christians from various denominations in a protest rally to protest a hate campaign against the Christian Community.

The gathering took place in Eluru, West Godavari distruct. It was led by Mgr. John Mulagada, bishop of Eluru, together with Bishop Mathew Cheriankunnel and Anglican Bishop John S.D. Raju. City mayor Shri Kare Babu Rao and MLA Shri Alla Kalikrishna also took part.

B. Niranjan, a first year dentistry student at the Church run St Joseph Dental College was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room on June 22. Anand's family accused Father Anand, the college assistant warden and four other students for murdering him because he hailed from a tribal community.

A complaint was filed in court and the State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Andhra Pradesh Tribal Welfare Shri Redya Naik told the family to stop fasting and ordered the arrest of the "culprits.” This led to the protest rally.

Speaking to a news source, Archbishop Joji slammed the “attempt to discredit and intimidate the Christian community” by exploiting the incident.

A recent survey conducted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India revealed a Hindu majority in Christian institutes: 53 per cent Hindus; 22.7 per cent Catholics and 8.6 per cent Muslims, quoted AsiaNews.