Catholics take out march in Mysuru against arrest of nuns in Chattisgarh
The march, which began from the premises of Infant Jesus Cathedral in Hinkal, proceeded upto the Hinkal junction on Outer Ring Road before returning to the church grounds.
The rally was inaugurated by Vicar General of Mandya Diocese Thomas Thennatil, who urged the government to uphold constitutional rights of minority communities and ensure their protection. He demanded that the nuns, who had been granted bail, should be acquitted of the charges.
A mass signature campaign on a banner was organised on the occasion. The organisers of the rally said the banner bearing signatures of people will be sent to Chattisgarh government.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- The Hindu
Venugopal writes to Shah, Chhattisgarh CM seeking closure of ‘fabricated case' against 2 nuns
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Tuesday separately wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai urging them to take necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the 'fabricated case' against two Catholic nuns from Kerala who are accused of human trafficking and forced conversion. In his letters to Mr. Shah and Mr. Sai, Mr. Venugopal also demanded that strict legal proceedings be initiated against those who physically attacked the nuns and the tribal women. Two nuns from Kerala and another person, accused of human trafficking and forced conversion, were released from the Durg Central Jail in Chhattisgarh on Saturday after a court granted them bail, holding that the case was based on 'mere suspicion.' Leaders of the Congress and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala welcomed the news and accused the BJP of ignoring the atrocities against minorities in the States ruled by it while championing their cause in the southern State. In his letter to Mr. Shah, Mr. Venugopal said the arrest of the nuns and the events leading up to it represent a gross misuse of state power, driven not by law but by communal prejudice and political malice. 'The arrest stemmed from an entirely baseless FIR filed by a Bajrang Dal-affiliated individual, who fabricated allegations against the nuns based on vague 'apprehensions.' Far from being victims of trafficking or conversion, they were assaulted and coerced by Bajrang Dal members to give false statements implicating the nuns,' the MP from Kerala's Alappuzha said. 'Despite repeated complaints from the nuns and tribal women about manhandling, coercion, and mistreatment, the police have failed to register an FIR against the actual perpetrators. This blatant inaction reflects the disturbing bias, double standards, and extreme one-sidedness in what is clearly a politically motivated case of misrepresentation and harassment,' Mr. Venugopal said. The conditional bail granted to the accused after eight days of unjust incarceration following sustained protests by the Opposition and the public, including the Christian community, is an indictment of the injustice they were subjected to, he alleged. 'I urge you to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of this fabricated case in a time-bound manner, ensuring that the investigation reflects the truth and upholds constitutional values. At the same time, I also demand that strict legal proceedings be initiated against those who physically attacked the nuns and the tribal women. An FIR must be filed based on their statements,' Mr. Venugopal said in his letter to Shah. The impunity enjoyed by such vigilante elements must be decisively ended if the rule of law and constitutional order are to be upheld, he said. Mr. Venugopal made similar demands in his letter to Mr. Sai. Earlier in the day, United Democratic Front (UDF) MPs held a protest in the Parliament House complex, demanding that the cases in Chhattisgarh against the Catholic nuns be dropped and the 'Bajrang Dal goons who attacked the nuns' and the women be prosecuted for their hate crimes. Catholic nuns Preethy Mary and Vandana Francis and another person were arrested by the Government Railway Police (GRP) at the Durg railway station on July 25 following a complaint from a local Bajrang Dal functionary, who accused them of forcibly converting three girls from Narayanpur and trafficking them. The arrest sparked off a political slugfest with the Congress and CPI(M) criticising the police action and Mr. Sai accusing them of politicising the issue.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Catholic Sabha demands justice for nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh
Mangaluru/ Udupi: Hundreds of citizens, social activists, and religious leaders gathered outside the Mini Vidhana Soudha on Monday, under the aegis of the Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh, to demand justice for two Catholic nuns and a tribal youth arrested in Chhattisgarh under dubious charges. They stood in solidarity with Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis—both from Kerala—and Sukaman Mandavi of Narayanpur, arrested on July 25 at Durg Railway Station on alleged charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion of three tribal women. Santosh D'Souza, president of the Catholic Sabha, delivered the opening remarks. Rophy D'Costa, former president and PRO of the Catholic Sabha, delivered the keynote address, underscoring the increasing intolerance and misuse of legal systems to target marginalised communities. Sr. Severine Menezes, former president of Conference of Religious India (CRI) Mangalore, said, "Christian institutions serve the most vulnerable—with education, healthcare, and social upliftment. To accuse us of coercion is to attack every person who selflessly serves." Rev Fr Dominic Vas, present CRI president and parish priest of St Mary's Church, Bikarnakatta, said, "We hold the Bible in one hand and the Constitution in the other. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo We are patriots—not fanatics. This case is fabricated and must be quashed. Justice delayed is justice denied." Roy Castelino, PRO of the Diocese of Mangalore, said, "The woman who lodged the complaint has vanished. Yet the sisters were quickly arrested. This is not justice. We demand that Jyothi Sharma face charges for filing a false, malicious complaint." The demonstration was also joined by former MLA JR Lobo, clergy members, and religious sisters—symbolising a united, intergenerational stand against rising hostility. A massive protest was held on Monday near the Ajjarakadu Martyrs' Memorial in Udupi, organised under the leadership of the Catholic Sabha of Udupi, in collaboration with various supporting organisations. The protest condemned the wrongful arrest and inhuman treatment of Christian nuns in Chhattisgarh based on false allegations.
Economic Times
17 hours ago
- Economic Times
Who is Karoline Leavitt? 27 year-old White House Press Secretary who Trump says has lips like a machine gun
Donald Trump praised Karoline Leavitt, his White House Press Secretary. He commented on her appearance and intelligence during an interview. The remarks drew varied reactions. Some found them inappropriate. Others defended Trump's praise. Leavitt's background includes work as a speechwriter and a congressional run. Her marriage and rapid career rise have also attracted attention. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In a recent interview, President Donald Trump lavished unusually personal praise on his White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt . During a Friday night sit-down with Newsmax host Rob Finnerty, Trump singled out Leavitt's appearance and demeanor, saying, 'It's that face. It's that brain. It's those lips , the way they move. They move like she's a machine gun.'He added, 'She's become a star. She's a great person, actually. I don't think anybody has ever had a better press secretary than Karoline. She's been amazing.' The remarks stirred both admiration from Trump supporters and discomfort among critics, sparking a conversation about professionalism and boundaries in Claire Leavitt, 27, is the youngest White House Press Secretary in U.S. history, appointed by Trump for his second term beginning in 2025. A native of New Hampshire, Leavitt previously worked as a presidential speechwriter and assistant press secretary during Trump's first was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family and credits her Catholic education for instilling strong work values. Leavitt graduated in 2015 from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and went on to attend Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. At Saint Anselm, she earned a bachelor's degree in communications and politics in 2019, playing a pioneering role by founding the college's first broadcasting also interned at Fox News during the 2016 presidential election and worked at Hearst Television WMUR-TV during joining the White House, she was a congressional candidate for New Hampshire's 1st district in 2022 and has been a steadfast supporter of Trump's policy agenda and communication made headlines not only for her meteoric political rise but also for her personal life. She married 59-year-old real estate developer Nicholas Riccio in January 2025, shortly before Trump's inauguration. The age gap and her rapid ascent have drawn public interest alongside her career achievements. A photograph of Leavitt multitasking as a mother and press secretary also gained effusive compliments about Leavitt's lips moved beyond typical professional praise, prompting a mix of reactions. On social media, many users described Trump's comments as 'creepy,' 'uncomfortable,' and 'inappropriate.' Some critics compared the tone to past controversies involving Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, lamenting what they see as continued problematic of Trump and Leavitt praised the president's high regard for his press secretary, highlighting her youth, intelligence, and adept handling of the challenging called out media outlets for not questioning Trump more aggressively about the remarks, pointing to a double standard in political remarks also coincided with Leavitt's own vocal praise for Trump's foreign policy. At a White House briefing shortly before the interview, she claimed Trump brokered 'about one peace deal or ceasefire per month' during his first six months back in office and urged he be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
