Hindu organizations in Coimbatore filed a counter-petition against bail for Pastor Prince Calvin, who allegedly made derogatory remarks about Hindu deities. The petition was filed at the Principal District Court on Friday.
Coimbatore: Hindu organizations in Coimbatore have filed a counter-petition in the Principal District Court against granting anticipatory bail to Pastor Prince Calvin of Emmanuel Church, Uppilipalayam. The pastor is accused of making derogatory remarks about Hindu gods and Hinduism, allegedly attempting to incite communal unrest.
A case has been registered against Pastor Prince Calvin under the RASCO Act at the local police station. However, he has not been arrested or remanded to judicial custody yet. In response to the pastor's anticipatory bail petition, representatives of various Hindu organizations submitted a counter-petition demanding his arrest and imprisonment.
The counter-petition was filed by Bhima Pandi, State President of Hindu Makkal Puratchi Padai, Lotus Manikandan, State President of Hindustan Makkal Sevai Iyakkam, and Boxer Prem, Kongu Zone Youth Wing Coordinator of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha.
Key points from the counter-petition include:
1. The petitioner, representing the Hindu Makkal Puratchi Padai, strongly objects to the anticipatory bail petition (CMP No.3596/2024) filed by Pastor Prince Calvin.
2. The organizations argue that granting anticipatory bail to the accused could lead to communal tensions between Hindus and Christians.
3. They highlighted that the accused has several pending criminal cases against him, including Cr.No.320/2024, CC.No.158/2011, C.C.No.209/12, Crime No.2/2017, Cr.No.201/2022, Cr.No.292/2022, and Crime No.335/2023.
4. The petitioners allege that the accused habitually uses inappropriate language during sermons and in personal interactions with church visitors.
5. The Hindu organizations argue that granting anticipatory bail to Pastor Prince Calvin could lead to law and order issues in the area.
The petitioners have requested the court to dismiss the anticipatory bail petition filed by Pastor Prince Calvin and to take necessary action to arrest and imprison him.