Forced conversion charge against nuns added later: Latin Catholic Council
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Kochi: The Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) said that the charge of forced religious conversion against the two nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh was added much later to strengthen the case.
In a statement, the council said that justification of the attack by the Chhattisgarh chief minister added to their anxiety.
The statement mentioned that arrests on false charges of religious conversion and human trafficking were unconstitutional and a violation of human rights. Jailing the nuns based on a fabricated case after seeing them in their religious attire is a severe stain on the nation's unity, tolerance and secular stance.
The freedom available to everyone should also be extended to religious minorities and service-oriented nuns.
The central govt, which frequently proclaims "development for all" should promptly intervene to release the innocent nuns and arrest the perpetrators and lawbreakers for exemplary punishment, the statement said.
The central and state govts must seriously address the increasing attacks against Christians, particularly clergy and religious members. The rule of law must be upheld. According to data from the United Christian Forum based in Delhi, 4,316 attacks against Christians were reported from 2014 to 2024. The number increased from 733 in 2023 and to 834 in 2024, KRLC vice-president Joseph Jude and general secretary Fr Jiju George Arakkathara said in the statement.
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