Arrest of Kerala Nuns In Chhattisgarh Sparks Widespread Protest
CM Pinarayi Vijayan seeks PM’s intervention, Rahul Gandhi slams BJP-RSS systematic attacks against minorities
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The arrest of two nuns from Kerala, Sister Vandana Francis from Thalassery and Sister Preethi Mary from Angamaly, has sparked widespread protests in Kerala and Delhi.
The nuns were accused in a case registered in Chhattisgarh on charges of attempted religious conversion and human trafficking. The FIR, filed at the Government Railway Police station in Bhilai, has faced heavy criticism. It was based on a complaint by one Rai Nigam of Bhilai, who claimed to have seen the nuns receiving the three girls from the Bastar region at Durg railway station on July 25, around 8.30 am.
Nigam alleged that the girls, handed over by a local boy, were being taken to Agra, suspecting it to be a case of forced conversion and trafficking.
Rahul slams BJP-RSS
Rahul Gandhi, the opposition leader in Lok Sabha, criticised the incident, calling it a case of systematic persecution of minorities under the BJP-RSS regime. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other leaders from Keala have condemned the incident. The Chief Minister wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate intervention.
Catholic Bishops Conference of India president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath described the arrests as a painful attack on religious freedom and the Constitution. He called for strict action against the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, the Kerala BJP has formed a delegation led by state general secretary Anoop Antony to visit Chhattisgarh and provide support, including legal assistance, to those affected.
Kerala PCC President Sunny Joseph criticised the BJP and Sangh Parivar for targeting minorities, including Christians, across the country, while accusing the Prime Minister of remaining silent on those brutal attacks.
The Congress leader also mocked BJP leaders for delivering Christmas cakes to Bishops and Church leaders to woo the Christian community in the state for votes.
Meanwhile, the MPs of the Left parties held a protest outside Parliament against the arrest of the nuns. They also gave a notice in the Rajya Sabha for a discussion on the issue.
