Jalna, Jun 30 (PTI) Christians in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Monday held a morcha condemning BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar’s alleged remarks against Christian priests.
Padalkar, a legislator from Jat constituency in Sangli district, recently announced that he will give cash reward to anyone who thrashes those visiting villages for religious conversions.
Padalkar’s remarks came after a 28-year-old woman, who was four months pregnant, died by suicide in Sangli district because of an alleged demand for dowry from in-laws and pressure to practice Christianity.
The victim, Rutuja Rajge, married for four years to Sukumar Rajge who works in the merchant navy, allegedly hanged herself in Kupwad town on 6 June.
Monday’s protest march concluded outside the District Collectorate.
Protesters, holding placards and shouting slogans, strongly condemned Padalkar’s statement and demanded that a criminal case be registered against him for inciting violence and spreading hatred against the Christian clergy.
The protesters demanded that Padalkar be immediately expelled from the Maharashtra Legislative Council, adding such individuals have no place in a democratic institution that upholds secular values.
Padalkar had alleged that the woman ended her life due to harassment for religious conversion and dowry. PTI COR VT VT
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