Leaders of the Christian community here have expressed shock and surprise over the filing of a chargesheet against Dr George Ninan, former Bishop of the Nashik Diocese and Rev James Massey, Member of the Minority Commission and Church of North India (CNI). Meanwhile, a signature campaign has also been undertaken by the Christians in the city to condemn the incident and demand a CBI enquiry into the episode.

The Ahmednagar police did not realise the implications of filing chargesheets under Section 125 of the People's Representation Act (inciting class feelings) against Ninan and Massey. It all started when Ninan and Massey, along with advocate Raju Sail from Raipur and Rajan Singh, member of the National Council ofChurches in India (NCCI) in Nagpur, addressed a press conference at Ahmednagar last week, after a consultation meeting of social activists from different parts of the country on national issues.

Ninan was reported to have appealed to the people not to vote for anti-secular parties. When he was repeatedly questioned, he gave his personal preference for Sharad Pawar's NCP.

Next day, the local papers promptly reported Ninan's statement. The police then swung into action and booked Ninan and Massey under Section 125 of the Representation of People's Act for inciting class and communal feelings.

Talking to The Indian Express from Mumbai, Ninan vehemently denied the charge labelled on him and Massey. ``Where is the question of inciting class or communal feelings?'' he asked. ``In a democratic country like India, everyone is free to air his views on issues concerning the nation. This includes politics too, I suppose. What wrong did I do if I expressed my opinion?'' he wonders, adding,``This is a clearcase of infringement of my fundamental right to freedom of speech,''.

Condemning the incident, Rev Ipe Joseph, General secretary of the NCCI in Nagpur, says the Ahmednagar police certainly went overboard in filing an FIR against Ninan and Massey. Where was the need for an FIR in the alleged statement, he wonders. Calling it politically motivated, he said that it was unfortunate that Christians in the country continue to be treated in such a humiliating manner. Rakesh Singh, member of the CNI Diocese, said a copy of the signature campaign and a memorandum have been sent to the PM, the President, CM of Maharashtra and the Governor, appealing to them to stop the harassment of the duo.

Sunil Jonathan, Director of the Shramdeep Prakalp, said the police resorted to too harsh a measure over a trivial issue. This has angered the entire Christian community in the city. In the past too, Christians have been ill-treated. No wonder they felt insecure and unsafe now. Rumours of Christian conversions are beingdeliberately spread to malign them, he said.

Expressing his disgust and shock at the incident, Rajan Singh, NCCI member, warned that Christians are not going to tolerate such seditious charges. If the charge was not withdrawn immediately, it would become a major political issue in the forthcoming polls, he said. ``As it is, the minorities are not well-disposed towards the BJP and its allies. If the hurt feelings of the Christians are not assuaged quickly, those responsible will rue the after-affects,'' said Singh.