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The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Keralite nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh: bipartisan protests roil Kerala for third consecutive day
Bipartisan protests over the controversial arrest of two Keralite nuns at the Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh last Friday on 'questionable charges' of attempting to spirit out three women, including a tribal community member, to Agra for 'forced conversion,' roiled Kerala for the third consecutive day on Tuesday (July 29). The demonstrations over the arrest of sisters Preeta Mary and Vandana Francis of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) order, hailing from Kannur and Angamaly respectively, also radiated out to Chhattisgarh. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) delegations led by Lok Sabha members and top leaders from New Delhi protested outside the Durga Central prison, seeking permission to visit the imprisoned nuns and demanding justice. Initially reluctant Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) leader N.K. Premachandran, MP, who led the UDF delegation, told The Hindu that the prison authorities were initially reluctant to allow them access to the prisoners. In stark contrast, he said, the authorities had no compunction in allowing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation headed by State general secretary Anoop Antony through. He said that the UDF MPs protested outside the prison gates, and were finally allowed in following the intervention of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Mr. Premachandran, who spoke to the nuns, said the sisters were extremely distressed. 'Bajrang Dal activists mobbed them at the railway station, conducted a humiliating public trial and handed the nuns and their fellow travellers to the police. The sisters' entreaties that they were operating within the law fell on deaf ears,' he said. The police denied entry to the LDF delegation headed by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat citing prison timings. Ms. Karat told reporters outside the jail that the nuns and their fellow passengers were travelling with the requisite papers and proper sanction. She termed the arrests a trespass on fundamental rights, secularism and the right to freedom of religion and movement. Closer to home in Kerala, members of the clergy and laity protested in strength in Thrissur district against the 'extra-judicial arrest and harassment of the nuns' allegedly orchestrated by the Sangh Parivar affiliates. Protest march In Thiruvananthapuram, Vicar General of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram Father Eugene Periera said Church leaders, including Bishops and members of the laity, would gag their mouths and march in protest to the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday (July 30) evening from the Martyr's Square at Palayam. He termed the arrest an infringement on minority rights enshrined in the Constitution. CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan stated separately that Kerala would rise as one for the early release of the sisters and also for the protection of minority rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Oppn adamant on demand over electoral roll revision debate, Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm
New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 p.m. on Tuesday following vocal protests and demands for immediate discussion on several contentious issues, including Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh announced the receipt of 24 notices under Rule 267, most of which pertained to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls undertaken in Bihar. The notices were submitted by members, including Ranjeet Ranjan, Shaktisinh Gohil, Syed Nasir Hussain, Rajani Ashokrao Patil, Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Rajiv Shukla and Randeep Singh Surjewala (all from Congress), Sandeep Kumar Pathak (AAP), Manoj Jha (RJD), and others. The Deputy Chairman also informed the House that under the same rules, additional notices were submitted by CPI(M) MP Rita Pratap Banerjee and Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghosh, raising concerns over alleged discrimination against Bengali migrant workers in various states. A. Rahim (CPI-M), P. Santosh Kumar (CPI), and Josh K. Mani (Kerala Congress-M) sought a discussion on the "alleged and unjust" arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh. SP MP Ramjilal Suman demanded a debate on the "unprecedented and unexpected" resignation of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, while CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan submitted a notice seeking deliberation on "India's trade agreement with the United Kingdom and its impact on the Indian economy". The Deputy Chairman informed the House that the notices did not conform to procedural requirements and were therefore declined. This led to sharp protests from the Opposition and disruption of proceedings. Amid the uproar, the Deputy Chairman urged members to honour their collective commitment to uphold the Parliamentary decorum, stating that Question Hour and Zero Hour had not been availed for several days due to repeated disruptions. The Deputy Chairman appealed to members to allow both segments to proceed uninterrupted. When the ruckus continued, he adjourned the House till 2 p.m. Earlier in the day, the House briefly turned its attention to a moment of national pride when the Deputy Chairman congratulated 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh for winning the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup. He described her achievement as a matter of great joy, noting that she had made the country proud by becoming India's first woman to win the title and the nation's 88th Grandmaster. Several parliamentary papers and committee reports were laid on the table. These included submissions from ministers Pankaj Choudhary, Anupriya Patel, Santanu Thakur, Harsh Malhotra, Ninubhai, and Bhupathi Raju Srinivas Verma. Shiv Sena-UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi tabled the 57th report of the Standing Committee on Communications in the 17th Lok Sabha, along with the seventh Action Taken Report concerning the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. BJP MP Ramji Bhai Harji Bhai Mokaria submitted reports from the Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs. BJP MP K. Lakshman laid reports from the Committee on Public Accounts, while party MP Iranna B Kadadi presented the 15th report related to the Ministry of Rural Development. Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Choudhary also placed an additional Standing Committee report before the House. An updated panel of Vice Chairpersons was announced. The House is scheduled to reconvene at 2 p.m., though tensions surrounding the Bihar electoral revision may continue to affect proceedings.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh blatant misuse of law: CPI(M) MP John Brittas
New Delhi, The arrest of two nuns from Kerala in Chhattisgarh's Durg is a "blatant misuse of law", CPI MP John Brittas said on Monday and demanded that they be set free. Arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh blatant misuse of law: CPI(M) MP John Brittas In a post on X, Brittas also shared a letter written by him to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, expressing deep concerns and seeking his immediate intervention in the arrest of the two Catholic nuns from Kerala Sister Vandhana Francis and Sister Preethi by the Government Railway Police from the Durg railway station on the morning of July 25, and their subsequent judicial remand under the charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. "The arrest of Kerala nuns Sr. Vandana Francis and Sr. Preethi at Durg on baseless trafficking and conversion charges is a disgrace. This is blatant misuse of the law to target minorities. Free the nuns and stop the hate campaign against those serving society!" Brittas said in a post on X. According to media reports, the Kerala-based nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced conversion raised by right-wing activists. In his letter to the Chhattisgarh chief minister dated July 27, Brittas said according to information received, the two nuns had travelled from Agra to Durg to receive three women and a man accompanying them. These individuals had travelled from Jharkhand with proper consent, intending to work in the convent. However, upon arrival, all six were taken into custody by GRP personnel, reportedly on false allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. "According to information received, the two nuns had travelled from Agra to Durg to receive three adult girls and a man accompanying them. These individuals had travelled from Jharkhand with proper consent, intending to work in the convent. "However, upon arrival, all six were taken into custody by GRP personnel, reportedly on false allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion," Brittas said. The Communist Party of India leader added that reportedly, there was no indication of coercion nor any credible evidence to suggest conversion. "However, latest reports indicate that the authorities have filed an FIR, and three adults including the two nuns have now been remanded to judicial custody," he said. He called it a shocking development and said it appears to reflect "a growing trend of targeting minority communities under flimsy and communally charged allegations". "Even more alarming is the reported confiscation of their mobile phones and the absence of any formal communication with the families of the detainees," Brittas said. He also said the incident has caused "deep anguish in Kerala and across the country, given its potential implications for minority rights, and the misuse of anti-conversion provisions to criminalise lawful social or religious activity". "It is in the interest of justice, constitutional values, and the secular fabric of our democracy that this matter be addressed with the utmost urgency.... I earnestly urge your good self to immediately intervene to secure the release of Sr. Vandhana Francis and Sr. Preethi, who remain under judicial custody," he said. The Left leader also sought an "independent and impartial inquiry" into the background of the complaint, and the role played by right-wing groups in influencing police action that led to this "unwarranted" and "disturbing" development. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Election Commission wraps up enumeration phase in Bihar, 65 lakh voters out of draft roll due to...
Bihar Elections: A day before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission's decision to undertake a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, ECI On Sunday said that it has successfully concluded the enumeration phase of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) in Bihar, held from June 24 to July 25, 2025. In what is being hailed as one of the most comprehensive electoral exercises in the state, more than 7.24 crore electors – out of a total of 7.89 crore – submitted their enumeration forms, reflecting a massive outreach and high voter engagement. According to a detailed press release shared by the election commission, as many as 65 lakh voters will not figure in the state's new draft electoral rolls, which are to be published on August 1. This includes 22 lakh deceased electors (2.83 per cent), 36 lakh (4.59 per cent) who have permanently shifted or not found and seven lakh (0.89 per cent) who have enrolled at more than one place. This large-scale campaign, which began just a few months before the high-stakes Bihar assembly elections, was aimed at ensuring 'No Elector Left Behind', with a focus on first-time voters, urban populations, migrants, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. All 12 major political parties actively took part in the exercise. The number of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by political outfits increased by over 16 per cent during the campaign. Notably, CPI(M) and Congress recorded over 100% increase in BLA nominations, with CPI(M) showing a remarkable 1083% jump. BJP led the tally with over 53,000 BLAs, followed closely by RJD and JD(U). To ensure maximum inclusion, more than 5.7 crore SMS alerts were sent to registered voters, while the CEO of Bihar collaborated with counterparts across States/UTs to reach temporary migrants from Bihar. Around 29 lakh forms were submitted digitally, either through the ECI website or mobile app, signifying an increasing shift towards tech-savvy voter engagement. Similarly, 'electors whose Enumeration Forms were received were sent repeat SMSs, as an acknowledgement of submission of their form. A total of 10.2 crore SMSs have been sent since the beginning of the exercise,' the poll panel said. Young citizens turning 18 by October 1, 2025, are being encouraged to register from August 1 to September 1. 'ECI will conduct special campaigns across Bihar from August 1 to September 1 2025, to enrol such young electors, so that all eligible electors can be enrolled and no one is left out,' the ECI said. Volunteers and officials are assisting senior citizens and PwD voters in completing documentation. The draft roll will be made available both digitally and in print on August 1. Any inclusions, deletions, or corrections must be submitted during the one-month window. No name will be removed without a formal speaking order, and appeals can be made under Section 24 of the RP Act, 1950. With meticulous planning and mass involvement, the ECI's enumeration push in Bihar is being seen as a model for voter inclusion and electoral transparency.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
ECI wraps up enumeration phase in Bihar, over 7.2 cr electors participate in SIR, 65 lakh voters out of draft roll
A day before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission's decision to undertake a special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, ECI On Sunday said that it has successfully concluded the enumeration phase of the Special Summary Revision (SIR) in Bihar, held from June 24 to July 25, 2025. In what is being hailed as one of the most comprehensive electoral exercises in the state, more than 7.24 crore electors - out of a total of 7.89 crore - submitted their enumeration forms, reflecting a massive outreach and high voter engagement. According to a detailed press release shared by the election commission, as many as 65 lakh voters will not figure in the state's new draft electoral rolls, which are to be published on August 1. This includes 22 lakh deceased electors (2.83 per cent), 36 lakh (4.59 per cent) who have permanently shifted or not found and seven lakh (0.89 per cent) who have enrolled at more than one place. This large-scale campaign, which began just a few months before the high-stakes Bihar assembly elections, was aimed at ensuring 'No Elector Left Behind', with a focus on first-time voters, urban populations, migrants, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. All 12 major political parties actively took part in the exercise. The number of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by political outfits increased by over 16 per cent during the campaign. Notably, CPI(M) and Congress recorded over 100% increase in BLA nominations, with CPI(M) showing a remarkable 1083% jump. BJP led the tally with over 53,000 BLAs, followed closely by RJD and JD(U). To ensure maximum inclusion, more than 5.7 crore SMS alerts were sent to registered voters, while the CEO of Bihar collaborated with counterparts across States/UTs to reach temporary migrants from Bihar. Around 29 lakh forms were submitted digitally, either through the ECI website or mobile app, signifying an increasing shift towards tech-savvy voter engagement. Similarly, 'electors whose Enumeration Forms were received were sent repeat SMSs, as an acknowledgement of submission of their form. A total of 10.2 crore SMSs have been sent since the beginning of the exercise,' the poll panel said. Young citizens turning 18 by October 1, 2025, are being encouraged to register from August 1 to September 1. 'ECI will conduct special campaigns across Bihar from August 1 to September 1 2025, to enrol such young electors, so that all eligible electors can be enrolled and no one is left out,' the ECI said. Volunteers and officials are assisting senior citizens and PwD voters in completing documentation. The draft roll will be made available both digitally and in print on August 1. Any inclusions, deletions, or corrections must be submitted during the one-month window. No name will be removed without a formal speaking order, and appeals can be made under Section 24 of the RP Act, 1950. With meticulous planning and mass involvement, the ECI's enumeration push in Bihar is being seen as a model for voter inclusion and electoral transparency.
