North India: Catholic Priest Advises Nuns on Safety Amid Rising Hate Incidents

Quick Summary:

• Attacks on Christians have escalated in North india, prompting precautionary guidelines for safety.
• Fr. Suresh Mathew, a senior Catholic priest and former editor of Indian Currents, issued recommendations to help nuns avoid becoming targets of religious extremists.
• Two Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) were arrested in Chhattisgarh on July 26 over allegations linked to human trafficking and religious conversion.
• The guidelines include avoiding travel with young girls alone and funding the travel of girls’ parents instead.
• Nuns are advised to avoid wearing religious attire in public, opting for secular clothing like plainclothes worn by bishops and priests for safety reasons.
• Church spokesperson Fr. Thomas Tharayil stated that while there are no official measures yet, many congregations have already adopted similar precautions such as wearing saris in public spaces.
• Church insiders highlight increased suspicion toward religious garb on public transport, leading to harassment or detention concerns.
• Fr. Jose Vallikkatt stressed the need for legal and political initiatives to protect minority rights while acknowledging the advisory reflects current challenges faced by missionaries.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The precautionary advisory raises significant concerns about the growing hostility toward minority groups, particularly Christians, in North India. While pragmatic steps like adopting secular clothing aim to ensure personal safety amid threats from extremist groups, they also highlight a troubling compromise affecting religious freedom-a constitutional right safeguarded by Indian law. This situation underscores broader tensions regarding communal harmony and minority protection within India.

Church leaders advocating legal safeguards reflect an urgent call for constitutional enforcement against any infringement upon fundamental religious freedoms. The issue has potential implications beyond immediate safety measures; it demands larger societal discussions around tolerance and coexistence within India’s diverse fabric.

Read more: Published July 29, 2025 06:55 pm IST