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Sanal Edamaruku
Sanal Edamaruku, a well-known Indian rationalist and secular activist currently living in exile in Finland, was recently detained in Poland following a notice issued by Indian authorities. The arrest took place on March 28 at Warsaw Modlin Airport, where Edamaruku had arrived to participate in a human rights conference, according to Rationalist International, the organisation he founded.
The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed the arrest to the news agency STT on Sunday.
Edamaruku is wanted in India on charges of blasphemy, which led to the issuance of an Interpol red notice. India is now seeking his extradition.
Edamaruku moved to Finland in 2012 after the charges were brought against him, and has remained there since.
A vocal proponent of secularism, Edamaruku rose to international prominence in the 1990s when the BBC documented his mission to expose fraudulent spiritual claims across India. In one such investigation in 2012, he debunked what was believed to be a miraculous water-dripping crucifix in Mumbai, revealing it to be caused by leaking sewage. The findings outraged the Catholic Church in India and led to the blasphemy allegations.
His case has drawn concern from human rights advocates and free speech defenders around the world.
Edamaruku was born in Thodupuzha, Kerala, and conducted investigation and campaigns in Indian villages, targeting mystics, god men and practices he deems superstitious.
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