From the British Humanist Association
This week we thought it important that we highlight the plight of Sanal Edamaruku, President of the Indian Rationalist Association and the Rationalist International who has been accused of blasphemy by the Catholic Church in India, and is facing the risk of arrest and court proceedings.
Sanal, who has spent much of his career exposing so-called ‘miracles’, investigated the case of a ‘bleeding statue’ outside a Mumbai church in March this year, revealing on a television programme that the ‘blood’ apparently dripping from the statue was in fact sewage leaking from a nearby drain. The Catholic Church then started legal proceedings against him under India’s blasphemy laws, which could result in his imminent arrest.
We fully support Sanal Edamaruku and condemn the attempt to prosecute and silence him. Sanal took part in a television programme on 10 March in which he investigated the crucifix in front of the Church of Our Lady of Velankanni, located in the Vile Parle area of Mumbai, which appeared to be producing droplets of water from the feet of the figure of Jesus. The Catholic Church hailed this phenomenon as a miracle, and some believers started to collect and drink the water in the belief that it had special properties. However, Sanal revealed that the water or ‘blood’ which was apparently being produced by the statue was in fact sewage which was leaking from a nearby drainage system.
The Catholic Church then made a complaint against Sanal of ‘deliberately hurting religious feelings’, which exists under Section 295A of India’s Penal Code, and can carry severe penalties, up to three years imprisonment. Sanal then applied for ‘anticipatory bail’ to ensure that he would not have to remain in prison if arrested, but the court has turned down this request. Although no formal arrest warrant has been issued, he could now be arrested at any time. The BHA will work with others to help Sanal in any way we can and we would call upon our supporters to contribute to Sanal’s defence fund here.