Kuzhithurai, India, Jan 10, 2022 / 16:39 pm
A Catholic priest in India will face trial for allegations of hate speech during an interreligious meeting last year.
Father George Ponnaiah is a priest of the Diocese of Kuzhithurai, in southern India. The accusations against him stem from a meeting in July 2021 against coronavirus restrictions on worship and the construction of new churches.
During the meeting, Ponnaiah allegedly made comments against the local government and leaders of India’s ruling, pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party. He was arrested several days later and released on bail.
The Madras High Court ruled Ponnaiah should face trial for his comments at the meeting.