The Conference of Religious India (CRI) has hailed a court sentencing BJP MLA Manoj Pradhan to seven years in jail for killing a dalit Christian during the 2008 communal riots in Orissa.

“The verdict is a credit for secular India, which seems to be crumbling under religious hatred and violence,” CRI national secretary Brother Mani Mekkunnel said in a statement.

A fast-track court dealing with anti-Christian riot cases June 29 convicted Manoj Pradhan and his accomplice Praful Malik for the fatal attack on Parikhita Nayak.

Besides jail term, the duo was also fined Rs 5,000 each.

Brother Mani hoped that the process of justice “will go on and the law will take its own course to bring corrective measures to those who astray and justice to the innocent victims.”

He said that for the people of India, including the Christians who suffered the hatred and violence, the verdict is “a sign of victory of good over evil.”

“We shall pray for Pradhan and the like, including the political forces that are promoting the virus against peace and harmony in this country, so that we may learn to live together as brothers and sisters,” he added.

Pradhan has been elected to the state assembly from Kandhamal district, the epicenter of anti-Christian riots that killed some 60 people and displaced 50,000, mostly Christians.

He has been charged in 14 cases of rioting and murder. He has been acquitted in seven cases while six are still being heard.

“It is sad for India that the second largest political party nominated him and continue to support him without regret,” Brother Mani said.

Source: CRI

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