Evangelist Lazarus booked by Kovai cops for hate speech

In the video, which went viral on social media, Lazarus talks ill of a particular religion and their places of worship, including Kancheepuram temple.  It was alleged that Lazarus tried to create division among various religions through his demeaning remarks, police said.

Based on complaints from members of Hindu outfits, the rural police in Karumathampatti, Sulur and Pollachi have registered cases against him on Tuesday under IPC sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) and 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).

Meanwhile, members belonging to the Hindu Makkal Katchi submitted a petition at the Mayiladuthurai court on Wednesday appealing to direct the police to register a case against evangelist Mohan C Lazarus for his controversial remarks against the Hindus that went viral in the social media. The court after receiving the petition, postponed the hearing to October 5 (Friday).

It is said that evangelist Mohan C Lazarus reportedly made controversial remarks against Hindu temples and their way of worshiping and this evoked severe criticisms from the public and Hindu groups.

On Wednesday, the Hindu Makkal Katchi filed a case against Mohan C Lazarus at the Mayiladuthurai Judicial Magistrate court. The petitioner J Swaminathan, the state secretary of the Hindu Makkal Katchi, stated that the evangelist had hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindus through his speech, which posed a serious threat to the communal harmony in the state. He urged the court to direct the police to register a case against Lazarus. The Judge Chellapandian who received the petition listed the case for hearing on October 5.