Christian Morcha Protest: 500+ Rally at Azad Maidan Demands Action Against BJP MLA Over Hate Speech Allegations
Over 500 protesters from Christian Morcha gathered at Azad Maidan demanding strict action against a BJP MLA over alleged hate speech
Christians in large numbers from across the state will gather at Azad Maidan on Friday against a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator who allegedly offered money to those who killed those attempting religious conversion. The community has alleged that the legislator has indirectly threatened the Christian community of getting their priests killed.
BJP’s member of legislative assembly (MLA) Gopichand Padalkar from Sangli’s Jat constituency has been accused of giving a reward of Rs11 lakh to those who killed the people entering their villages with an aim of religious conversion. The legislator has been accused of hurting the religious sentiments of the Christian community as he is said to be targeting Christian priests and pastors.
While the community has been expressing outrage against the legislator’s statement through protest rallies in various districts of Maharashtra, the Sakal Christi Samaj has announced a Christian Morcha on Friday at Azad Maidan from 12pm to 6pm. Community members from across the state are expected to join the protest on Friday.
On Friday, July 11, 2025, more than 500 members of the Christian community marched to Azad Maidan in Mumbai under the banner of Sakal Christi Samaj, demanding urgent action against BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar from Sangli’s Jat constituency. The protest—the Christian Morcha—was triggered by allegations that Padalkar offered a ₹11 lakh reward to anyone who killed religious conversion advocates entering villages, particularly targeting Christian priests and pastors, and thereby inciting religious hatred
Allegations at heart: Padalkar is accused of offering ₹11 lakh as a bounty to kill individuals suspected of facilitating religious conversions into Christianity—a statement viewed as a direct threat toward religious minorities .
Hate speech vs. free speech: The Christian community claims this incitement crosses legal lines, spurring widespread outrage and prompting demands for a formal complaint and penal action against the MLA
Protest body: Led by Sakal Christi Samaj, representing Christian minorities across Maharashtra, the Morcha was scheduled at Azad Maidan, a designated protest site by Bombay HC .
Expected turnout: The organisers projected a statewide participation, with over 500 attendees representing the Christian diaspora from Mumbai and suburbs
Registration of a criminal case against Padalkar
His removal from the BJP and expulsion from Legislative Assembly
Assurance of safety for priests, pastors, churches and congregations
Protection measures to prevent further hate incidents
Legal protest space: Designated by the Bombay High Court in March 2025, Azad Maidan—situated in South Mumbai—is officially authorized to host peaceful assemblies and Dharna demonstrations
Historical significance: Often used for large-scale protests, including against the CAA-NRC in 2020, the venue has emerged as a focal point for civic and communal grievances
Christian clergy and laity: Pastors, priests, retired church workers, community leaders, and concerned citizens from urban and rural areas across Maharashtra attended.
Community organizations: Sakal Christi Samaj coordinated the mobilization and handled logistics, including submitting memoranda to authorities.
Hate speech accountability: India’s Supreme Court mandates state governments to initiate FIRs suo motu upon credible hate speech allegations Protesters argued Padalkar’s statement qualified as hate speech under Sections 153A and 295A of the IPC.
Assembly seat safety: Demonstrators called for Padalkar’s expulsion to signal zero tolerance for communal incitement.
Precedent cases: Similar BJP MLAs, including Balmukund Acharya in Jaipur, have faced FIRs after delivering communally charged speeches in sensitive locations like mosques
Public speeches highlighting the gravity of Padalkar’s threat.
Reading and submission of a formal memorandum to Maharashtra’s Governor and DGP.
Collective calls for ‘justice, protection, and political accountability.’
Immediate FIR against Padalkar for incitement to violence and hate.
MLA expulsion and BJP mainstream ouster.
Police protection for persecuted religious institutions.
Hefty penalties for future hate speech or communal incitement.
Minority security: The protest reflects mounting anxiety among Christians amid intensifying anti-conversion rhetoric across India—common in places like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Hate speech spike: A 2024 report by Citizens for Justice & Peace flagged over 50 hate speech incidents by BJP leaders—often met with lackluster police response
Political polarization: Allegations against Padalkar tie into broader patterns of Hindutva politics and identity mobilization.
BJP reaction: While no official statement has emerged yet, BJP’s silence is expected to fuel skepticism about its stance on communal harmony.
Government stance: The Maharashtra state government, urged by protesters, now faces pressure to act on the memorandum and ensure law enforcement accountability.
Opposition pressure: Parties like Congress and NCP may escalate demands for action to highlight rising hate speech.
FIR status: A primary concern is whether Mumbai police or Sangli authorities will initiate or transfer an FIR under Section 153A.
Judicial recourse: Activists may approach the Bombay High Court for an independent inquiry and legal clarity on hate speech limits.
Sustained civic response: Should inaction occur, follow-up protests, petitions, public interest litigation, or campaigns may emerge.
Azad Maidan chronicles: This site hosted major events like the 2012 Assam-violence protests—when over 50 policemen were injured and two killed amid hate-fueled flare-ups
Symbolic turf: Recently, it was used for anti-CAA/NRC rallies with thousands decrying communal disenfranchisement
