Now Reading: CPI(M) and Congress Challenge BJP on Arrest of Kerala Nuns in Chhattisgarh
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CPI(M) and Congress Challenge BJP on Arrest of Kerala Nuns in Chhattisgarh
Rapid Summary
- Two Keralite nuns, Sisters Vandana francis and Preeta Mary of the Assisi Sisters of Mary immaculate (ASMI), were arrested in Chhattisgarh last week on charges of forced conversion and human trafficking, sparking widespread controversy.
- The BJP sent a Kerala delegation led by State general secretary Anoop Antony to secure the nuns’ early release and ensure an unbiased examination.
- Civil society groups, Church leaders, including Mar Andrews Thazhath (president of CBCI), deemed the arrests “unsettling” and “unconstitutional.” The syro-Malabar Church’s mouthpiece questioned alleged persecution faced by Christians in BJP-ruled States.
- CPI(M) accused Bajrang Dal activists of falsely implicating the nuns after an extrajudicial public trial.They also invoked historical instances like Jesuit priest Stan Swamy’s custodial death and Australian missionary Graham Staines’ murder as examples of communal targeting.
- CPI’s Binoy Viswam criticized BJP for fostering what he termed “fascist tendencies.” Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan portrayed the party as deceptive about its approach toward minority communities during his visit to Sister preeta Mary’s family in Kerala.
- VHP’s State general secretary Anil Vilayil defended the arrests, citing allegations involving an underage tribal woman traveling with the nuns.
indian Opinion Analysis
The arrest highlights tensions surrounding religious minorities amidst accusations of forced conversions-a recurring flashpoint in politically polarized settings. The swift intervention from both ruling parties and opposition figures indicates growing attention on protecting minority rights while concurrently defending ideological positions ahead of elections in Chhattisgarh.
The incident invites scrutiny over police impartiality given allegations that activists influenced law enforcement actions against these nuns without concrete evidence-a trend that could undermine public trust if not addressed transparently through thorough investigation processes.
For India as a pluralistic democracy where political narratives often intersect with religious identities, such cases emphasize pressing demands for balanced governance to safeguard constitutional protections for all citizens without amplifying polarization or alienating any community.
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