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Time of India
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Forced conversion charge against nuns added later: Latin Catholic Council
1 2 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.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chellanam residents intensify protest seeking permanent solution for sea erosion
Kochi: Hundreds of Chellanam residents took out two protest rallies on Friday demanding immediate measures to prevent sea erosion. Expressing solidarity with the people, priests from the Alappuzha and Kochi dioceses held a hunger strike near the Thoppumpady BOT bridge, demanding the construction of a sea wall from Kannamally to Fort Kochi as an immediate solution to the issue. As the monsoon showers intensified, Chellanam experienced the highest ever sea surge in recent years. As more than 500 houses were affected by sea surge, the residents of Kannamaly and Puthanthodu regions of the Chellanam panchayat held a protest on Monday. The protesters also staged a blockade on the Alappuzha-Fort Kochi state highway. The rallies and the hunger strike on Friday were the continuation of these protests under the banner of 'Care Chellanam' collective. The mass rallies that commenced at 3.30pm from Palluruthy and Thoppumpady Santhom Junction concluded at the venue of the hunger strike. While the hunger strike which began at 10am at the BOT Junction was inaugurated by Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council vice-president Joseph Jude, a rally by priests from St Sebastian Church, Thoppumpady, was inaugurated by Kripasanam director Joseph Valiyaveettil. Varapuzha archdiocese auxiliary bishop Rev Antony Valunkal spoke at the event. 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 The sea wall in the panchayat's coastal areas was damaged in the 2017 cyclone Ockhi, accelerating the sea erosion. Following coastal residents' protests, the govt allocated Rs 340 crore for constructing a 12.5km sea wall from Chellanam fishing harbour towards the north, but only 7.35km was completed. The area from Puthenthode to Fort Kochi is currently experiencing intense sea erosion and construction has been completely halted. "Many homes here are either partially or completely destroyed, making them uninhabitable. We are expecting high waves next week as the sea becomes more powerful with the new moon. If authorities now send back people from relief camps to homes, they will have to return to the camp again next week. Since the temporary sandbags and geo bags were completely destroyed in the recent sea surge, the high waves expected during the new moon will severely affect the area," said general convenor of Chellanam-Kochi People's Forum V T Sebastian. Forum members also demanded that the govt should provide rental houses or pay rent for those living in damaged houses. The rallies were flagged off by KCBC secretary general Rev Thomas Tharayil and Kerala Latin Catholic Association state president Sherry J Thomas. The concluding meeting was inaugurated by Kottapuram diocese bishop Rev Ambrose Puthenveettil.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Time of India
Kerala Latin Catholic Association announces protest meetings to condemn attacks on Christians in India
Kochi: The Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) announced statewide protest meetings on June 8 to condemn atrocities against Christians across India. Leaders of the association on Sunday met with 90-year-old Fr Leenus Puthanveetil who was attacked in Odisha. He is currently under treatment at a hospital in Manjummal. The association also released a video of the priest describing the atrocities he faced. The priest said that he was attacked by assailants at night while he was sleeping. The attackers put a knife to his neck before slapping him and tying him up. He added that his fellow priest was brutally beaten up by the attackers in front of him. In a statement, Joseph Jude, spokesperson for the Latin Catholic community, said that the attack faced by priests in Sambalpur was condemnable. He mentioned that the priests were working amongst the poor in Odisha and the attackers even targeted an elderly priest like Fr Leenus.
