Indian rationalist and outspoken secularist Sanal Edamaruku, who has lived in exile in Finland since 2012, was arrested in Poland late last month in connection with blasphemy charges filed against him in India more than a decade ago.
Edamaruku, founder of the Rationalist International organisation, was detained on March 28 at Modlin Airport in Warsaw, where he was scheduled to speak at a human rights conference. According to a statement issued by Rationalist International on Saturday, the arrest was made on the basis of an Interpol notice issued at India’s request. Indian authorities are reportedly seeking his extradition.
The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed to Finnish news agency STT on Sunday that it is aware of the arrest. Edamaruku, who holds permanent residency in Finland, has lived there since 2012 after fleeing India due to threats against his life.
He rose to prominence in the 1990s after a BBC documentary followed his travels across Indian villages, debunking so-called miracles and exposing the tricks used by self-proclaimed holy men. A vocal advocate of science, secularism, and free speech, Edamaruku has been both celebrated and condemned for challenging religious orthodoxy in India.
The blasphemy charges stem from a 2012 incident in Mumbai, where Edamaruku publicly debunked claims of a miracle involving water dripping from a crucifix. His investigation concluded that the water was in fact sewage seeping through a wall. The revelation triggered outrage among religious groups, particularly the Catholic Church, and led to legal complaints under India’s controversial blasphemy laws.
In a 2020 interview with STT, Edamaruku stated that returning to India could endanger his life, referencing the violent attacks and assassinations faced by other rationalists in the country. His organisation reiterated those concerns in its statement, calling for international support and intervention.
The case has reignited debate around freedom of expression, religious sensitivities, and the use of international legal mechanisms to pursue dissenters abroad. While Indian authorities have not commented on the arrest, human rights advocates in Europe and beyond are closely monitoring the situation.
For now, Edamaruku remains in custody in Poland as legal proceedings unfold regarding the potential extradition request.
