PATHANAMTHITTA, AUGUST 30: Rev Dr George Ninan, former Bishop of Nashik diocese and a native of Tiruvalla, has charged the Maharashtra Government and its police with launching a witch hunt against him and James Massey, member of Minorities Commission, under false charges of `inciting class and communal passions through press statements'.The Ahmednagar police have reportedly chargesheeted Bishop George Ninan and Rev James Massey under Section 125 of People's Representation Act (inciting class feelings) after the two briefed mediapersons at Ahmednagar last week about the deliberations of a three-day meet of social activists from different parts of the country.Talking to The Indian Express at his residence in Kaviyoor, near Tiruvalla, this morning shortly before leaving for Mumbai, the Bishop said that while addressing the press, Rev James Massey and he had appealed to the people not to vote for anti-secular parties in the ensuing election. When he was repeatedly questioned by scribes, the bishop gave his personal preference for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Sharad Pawar. This may have provoked the Shiv Sena-BJP led State Government, he said.According to him, the Tarakpur police who reached the Ahmednagar Bishop's palace on August 6 to take him into custody, were forced to retreat following strong opposition by his followers who were present at the Bishop's residence.The incident had evoked widespread protest among the Christian community in the area. Various human rights groups in the state had also taken up the issue. Following their representation, the National Human Rights Commission had sought explanation from the State Government, the Bishop said.Bishop George Ninan, who was on a sojourn to his home village, received a telephonic message from Mumbai last night that the police had again visited his office in search of him. Police had also reportedly enquired with his office staff about his whereabouts and the details of his movements.The Bishop, who strongly denied the charges raised against him and Massey, said: ``This is nothing but an infringement of a citizen's fundamental right of freedom of expression. I just can't understand the charge of inciting class or communal feeling in the open statement I made in public before a group of journalists'', he said.Bishop Ninan relinquished his position on August 4 last to take over the Secretary post of Joint Council, a newly mooted joint forum of Mar Thoma Church, Church of South India and Church of North India. He is expected to assume the post soon.
