Latest news with #Malayali
New Indian Express
20 minutes ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala nuns' arrest casts shadow over BJP's outreach
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The arrest of the Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh has snowballed into a political storm in Kerala with the Left parties, Congress, and various associations mounting a strong campaign that threatens to derail the BJP's outreach among Christians in the state. Senior BJP leaders acknowledged that the issue has shaken the party's recent gains in building closer ties with Church authorities. 'For some time, the Congress and Left were worried about our growing proximity to bishops and the Church. Unable to stop it, they are now using the Chhattisgarh arrests as a weapon to break that trust,' a BJP leader said. The BJP had planned a ward-level campaign across Kerala from August 1 to 10, aimed at expanding its membership. Party insiders say the meetings will now double as a reality check on how much damage the controversy has caused. Even while firmly opposing forced conversions, the Kerala BJP moved quickly to intervene in the Chhattisgarh case. A delegation was sent to assist the arrested nuns after the state unit concluded there was no evidence of conversion attempts. 'We took a bold step, fully aware it might backfire, but it was clear this was a genuine case. Our priority is ensuring justice for the nuns,' a senior leader explained.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kerala BJP, Sangh parivar divided over the arrest of nuns
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the state BJP has been trying to contain the damage over the arrest of Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh, differences have cropped up between the state unit and Sangh parivar, with the latter strongly coming out against Rajeev Chandrasekhar's statement giving a clean chit to the nuns. With the crucial 2026 assembly elections approaching, the BJP is using all the tricks up its sleeve to wriggle out of the situation with minimal political backlash as both the UDF and LDF have taken up the issue. Though the BJP has sent its general secretary Anoop Antony, who has a good rapport with national Sangh parivar leaders, to Chhattisgarh, it now knows that nothing more can be done till bail is granted to the nuns. The BJP is facing its worst dilemma with core Sangh parivar organisations toughening their stand against the arrested nuns and Rajeev Chandrasekhar's statement supporting them. 'Before the judiciary and police come to a conclusion, any statement issued by anyone exonerating the nuns is an injustice to the victims,' state president of Hindu Aikya Vedi, R V Babu, told TNIE. Rejecting the state BJP president's stance that the nuns are innocent, Babu said that BJP as a political party might take a position. 'However, as organisations working on the basis of Hindutva ideology, we demand that the Christian Church must reject the religious conversion going on, including in states like Kerala. Why are these missionaries carrying out their service only on Hindus and not on Muslims?' he asked. He said that Hindu Aikya Vedi will oppose any attempt to convert Hindus in the name of service or love.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress protests arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh and alleges violation of rights
Thiruvananthapuram: KPCC President Sunny Joseph has urged the Governor to inform the central govt about the public outcry in Kerala against the BJP govt's action of arresting and jailing two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh. He was speaking during a protest march led by the KPCC to Raj Bhavan, opposing the arrest of the nuns and the unconstitutional actions of the BJP regime. The Chhattisgarh govt filed false charges against the nuns, altering the FIR to deny them bail by adding non-existent sections. The BJP's oppressive rule challenges the rule of law, and the arrest of the nuns is unconstitutional. It is unfortunate that the chief minister of Chhattisgarh is justifying it. The BJP govt's actions, which violate and deny the constitutional and fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens, are shameful. Bajrang Dal activists threatened and abused the nuns while the police remained mute spectators, Sunny Joseph said. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, along with INDIA bloc MPs, raised strong protests in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. A group of UDF MPs visited the nuns in jail and demanded the Chhattisgarh govt withdraw the false case, but they refused. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like When Knee Pain Hits, Start Eating These Foods, and Feel Your Pain Go Away (It's Genius) Read More Undo The Congress will continue to raise strong protests nationwide, Sunny Joseph added. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan urged that Kerala's protest against the jailing of nuns should be conveyed to the prime minister and the Chhattisgarh govt by the chief minister without further delay. The Chhattisgarh govt unjustly jailed nuns engaged in charitable work for the common people. The Sangh Parivar challenges religious freedom, and intolerance is their hallmark. They attempt to maintain power by inciting divisions among people for political gain. The events in Chhattisgarh are the greatest example of what happens to religious minorities and common people when Congress is out of power. Our country has become a place where Christians are denied religious and prayer freedom, damaging India's international image, Satheesan added. Under BJP rule, atrocities against Christians have increased in the country. A group of UDF MPs and MLAs, along with former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, visited the nuns. The Congress will continue its protest until the nuns are granted bail, the opposition leader clarified.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kanthapuram condemns detention of nuns
All India Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary and president of Kerala Muslim Jamat Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar has expressed deep concern over the rising attacks on minorities in north India. In a statement here on Wednesday, he condemned the alarming incident of two Malayali nuns being mobbed and detained in Chhattisgarh over allegations of conversion and trafficking. 'State borders should not hinder education, employment, or travel beyond administrative purposes,' he pointed out. He cautioned that the attack on the nuns had the potential to erode the country's diversity, secularism, and communal harmony. Drawing parallels, Musliar recalled a previous incident where students from northern States, who had come to Kerala to study at local orphanages, were unfairly suspected of human trafficking and denied their right to education. He warned that mob violence against minorities would erode India's legacy of unity, fraternity, and communal harmony, harming its global standing and violating fundamental rights. Citing concerns over voter list revisions in Bihar and disenfranchisement in Assam, he stressed the importance of collective vigilance and cooperation to protect India's diversity and unity.
The Hindu
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Forum seeks court-monitored probe into Dharmasthala ‘mass burials'
A group of social activists has set up an organisation named 'Forum for Justice to Women in Kozhikode' against the backdrop of the alleged 'murders and mass burials' at Dharmasthala in Belthangady taluk of coastal Karnataka. They have sought an investigation into the allegations monitored either by the Supreme Court or the High Court of Karnataka. V.P. Zuhra and C.V. Kumaran, functionaries of the Forum, told the media on Wednesday that the Kerala government should take interest in the issue in view of the claims that even Malayali women were among those allegedly murdered there. The issue came to the limelight recently after a former sanitation worker, associated with the Manjunatha Swamy Temple in Dharmasthala between 1995 and 2014, claimed that he had buried a large number of bodies, including those of many women and minors who had been raped and murdered. The Karnataka government subsequently formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations, and the inquiry is on. Ms. Zuhra and Mr. Kumaran, however, said that the investigation should be monitored by the court as there was a possibility of the political executive in Karnataka exerting its influence on the SIT. The crimes had reportedly been committed on the premises of a temple whose administration was closely linked with those in power at the Centre, they pointed out. Ms. Zuhra and Mr. Kumaran said that the authorities should ensure the safety of the whistle-blower, who raised the allegations. Statements of all the people associated with the temple should be recorded. The possibility of a joint probe involving the Kerala Police should be explored to see if women from Kerala too were among those reportedly buried. They also said that the Union and State governments should announce compensation for the relatives of the victims. A convention would be held in Kozhikode on August 15 to highlight the issue, where human rights activists from Karnataka would participate. The forum has sent memorandums raising their demands to the government, National Human Rights Commission, and the National Commission for Women.
