Christian community marches to Raj Bhavan
The protesters were opposing the arrest of two nuns and a tribal man from Chhattisgarh's Durg railway station on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversions in July.
The nuns were granted bail by a NIA court in Chhattisgarh.
"Atrocities against our community have been a growing concern in recent times. The nuns were taking the three women to Agra to provide them with employment, but were arrested, and allegations of human trafficking and forced conversion were slapped on them.
But the fact is, the three women themselves had admitted that they belonged to the Christian community since childhood. This shows the growing hatred of some sections of society towards Christians, and we appeal for a peaceful coexistence among all," said Sunil Khalko, convener of the Ranchi All Churches Committee.
Jharkhand agriculture minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey also joined the march, extending support to the Christian community members and condemning the arrest incident.
The minister accused right-wing forces of harassing the Christians and violating constitutional rights.
Terming the arrest of the nuns a pre-planned conspiracy, Tirkey said, "Christians have always dedicated themselves to the service of the country and the world. Targeting them is an unjustifiable act. Their commitment to social welfare reflects their spirit of service. The mental harassment the nuns were subjected to is completely unacceptable. The Chhattisgarh police remained a mute spectator in the entire matter.
During the investigation, both the nuns were found innocent and were eventually released."
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand cabinet approves Minority Education Bill, set to repeal Madrasa Act
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved the Minority Education Bill-2025, extending minority status benefits to institutions run by the Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Christian, and Parsi communities in the state. At present, the minority educational institution status is granted only to the Muslim community. The bill will be introduced in the monsoon session of the Assembly starting from August 19. Once implemented, the Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Uttarakhand Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, will be repealed, effective July 1, 2026. Official sources said the bill was approved during the Cabinet meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. After it is implemented, the study of the Gurumukhi and Pali languages will also be possible in recognised minority educational institutions. This bill provides for the formation of an authority, making it mandatory for educational institutions established by all minority communities to obtain recognition from it, they said. This authority will work to facilitate and promote educational excellence in these institutions so that the children of the minority community get quality education and their educational development can take place, the sources said. The authority will grant recognition to the minority educational institution only when certain conditions are fulfilled by the applicant. If any condition is violated or the funds received from fees, donations, grants, or any other funding source are found to be misused, the recognition of that institution can also be terminated, they said. The authority will ensure that education is imparted in these institutions according to the standards set by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education, and the evaluation of the students is fair and transparent. Once enacted, it will be the first such Act in the country that aims to establish a transparent process for granting recognition to educational institutions established by minority communities in the state as well as ensure quality and excellence in education, the sources said.
New Indian Express
5 hours ago
- New Indian Express
CM Siddaramaiah must reveal persons behind SIT formation: Karnataka LoP Ashoka
CHITRADURGA: Assembly opposition leader R Ashoka on Sunday urged CM Siddaramaiah to reveal the real persons who pressured the state government to form the SIT to look into the Dharmasthala mass burial case. He told reporters that the present probe should not end here, but handed over to the NIA. Everyday, the state government receives thousands of complaints, and SITs are not set up. In stark contrast, the SIT for the Dharmasthala case was formed without any explicit demand, based solely on unfounded allegations, he added. 'Setting up of the SIT has tarnished the reputation of Dharmasthala and its deities. This situation must be rectified,' he insisted. He said the expenditure on the SIT is an extravagant waste of resources and the investigation was influenced by 'Urban Naxals'. 'This is a blatant conspiracy orchestrated by the Tipu gang,' he said, alleging that they are disseminating misinformation through social media. He identified a YouTuber, Sameer, as a member of this gang. DCM DK Shivakumar, ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao and Laxmi Hebbalkar have announced that they would visit Dharmasthala after the conclusion of the current legislature session.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Minority status beyond Muslim institutions? What Uttarakhand's new bill proposes
The Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, has been cleared by the state cabinet for introduction in the monsoon assembly session beginning Tuesday in Gairsain. Uttarakhand cabinet, led by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, clears law granting minority status to non-Muslim institutions.(@pushkardhami) The legislation seeks to extend minority status in education beyond the Muslim community to include Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, and Parsi institutions. Until now, only Muslim-run institutions have enjoyed minority recognition in the state. The proposed law will make Uttarakhand the first state in the country to establish a framework that both grants such status and enforces standards of accountability and academic quality. A key provision of the bill is the creation of the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority, which will serve as the nodal body to review applications, grant recognition, and monitor compliance with guidelines issued by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education. Officials told Hindustan Times the authority will ensure fairness in student assessment and promote transparency in governance. 'Once enacted, Uttarakhand will become the first state to legislate not only on granting minority status but also on ensuring academic excellence, accountability, and the protection of constitutional rights,' a senior official said. The bill requires all institutions run by Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, or Parsi communities to obtain recognition. They must be registered under the Society Act, Trust Act, or Company Act, and properties and accounts must be maintained in the name of the institution. Officials added that the law aims to streamline a process that previously lacked uniformity, bringing it under one accountable authority. While safeguarding autonomy, it also empowers the government to oversee functioning and issue directions when necessary. According to officials, the legislation will strengthen recognition procedures, ensure greater transparency, and raise the quality of education in minority institutions, benefiting students and communities alike. The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, along with the Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, will be repealed effective July 1, 2026. With inputs from Amit Bathla
