Catholic Priest Detained For Insulting Indian Flag
By UCA News
Police in Karnataka yesterday took into custody a Catholic priest for allegedly insulting the Indian flag on the country’s Independence Day.
Fr. Vincent of Puttur Syro-Malankara diocese unfurled the flag on a pole with a cross atop at the bishop’s residence at Parladka in Puttur.
Since Bishop Geevarghese Mar Divannasios was away, Fr. Vincent, assistant pastor of the cathedral parish, decided to hoist the flag.
He also allegedly used a clothesline to hoist the flag, which violated the provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
Ulle Gowda, tehsildar of Puttur, said the police took the priest into custody to avoid any untoward incident after a mob gathered outside the bishop’s residence to protest the “insult” to the national flag.
They protested the national flag fluttering under a cross.
Gowda said the police did not file a case against the priest since the law does not specify how the flag should be hoisted in a private place. He said they have asked their higher officials to clarify the matter.
The law prohibits desecration of the country’s national symbols such as the flag, Constitution and anthem or insult to them.
The police later released the priest.
The diocese was carved out of Bathery diocese in neighboring Kerala state in 2010.
Source: UCAN India
