'One Can't Be Called Christian Just Because They Read Bible, Have Crucifix In Their House': Andhra HC

The Andhra Pradesh High Court while dismissing a petition against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy observed that one cannot be considered a Christian if he merely attends Christian Gospel conventions and prayers in Churches, reports Live Law.

The petition in question had objected to Jagan Reddy's visit to Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams by claiming that he is a Christian and visited the temple without sufficient declaration.

While dismissing the petition the High Court observed that, "Merely attending the Christian Gospel conventions and attending the prayers in Churches, one cannot be considered as a Christian".

The High Court also said that one cannot be called a Christian if they read the Bible or have a crucifix in the house. It added that one also does not become a Christian by having a Biblical name or by attending a Church sermon.

"Does one become a “Christian” just by having a biblical name or just by attending a Church sermon? Can one be called as a ‘Christian’ just because they read the Bible or have the Crucifix in their house? Admittedly, the answer will be negative", the High Court said.

It has been reported in the past that YSRCP, a party centred around the devout christian family of CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, has a long history of open nexus with the church and foreign-funded Christian organisations. Jagan’s brother-in-law Anil Kumar is a powerful televangelist with his own ministries.

The allegation is that since a devout Christian family-centred YSRCP came to power, the evangelical organisations not only got a free hand in carrying out mass conversions, but are actively supported and subsidised by the state with Hindu taxpayers’ money for it.

The YSRCP government, headed by Jaganmohan Reddy, has been in the limelight for providing special treatment to his own community — Christians — since the very beginning of his term.

Also Read: How Devout Christian, Missionary Family Of CM Jagan Mohan Reddy Has Built Church-State Nexus In Andhra Pradesh