Date:20/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/20/stories/2003012003831100.htm

National

BJP flays pastor's reported remark

By Our Special Correspondent

KOCHI Jan. 19. The BJP leader in charge of party affairs in Kerala, Padmanabhacharya, has condemned the "provocative statement'' of an American pastor, Joseph Cooper, at Kilimanoor.

In a statement, he said the physical assault on Rev. Cooper could have been avoided if the law and order machinery of the UDF Government and the police had taken proper action.

The BJP demanded strong legal action against the American pastor for his "derogatory statement on Lord Krishna''.

In another statement, P.C. Thomas, MP, has described the issue as "very serious" and that it should be dealt with an iron hand.