A Christian organisation donated the gift boxes to the teacher. Pullaiah claimed he had asked for permission from the head of school before handing the gift boxes out to students. However, many Hindu parents raised complaints to the nationalist political party Bharatiya Janata Party after discovering the Bibles among the children’s presents. 

Members of the Hindu nationalist party submitted a formal complaint to district educational authorities and the police. Then they rampaged the school, seized the teacher and took him to the police station. They also pressurized the head of the school to press false charges against Pullaiah, claiming that he did not have proper authorization. Pupils were also requested to return the gift boxes. 

The district education officer conducted an investigation and suspended Pullaiah.

Pullaiah’s relatives have threatened pastor Nagireddy, who lives in the same village. They have been watching and following the pastor. He has also received threatening messages.

The more liberal Indian National Congress party regulates the state of Telangana. Christians in the area have received permission to publicly celebrate Christmas. However, extremist Hindus object to Christians exercising their constitutional rights granted by Article 25 – to propagate and practice their own religion.

Source: https://www.persecution.org