Attack on nuns: Christians In MP to protest against police inaction

To protest against the recent attack perpetrated against five nuns belonging to the Fransiscan Clarist Congregation (FCC), Christians in Madhya Pradesh will hold a hunger strike at Indore.

The five nuns were beaten last week, by a mob led by Bajrang Dal activists, who falsely accused of conversion and injured the nuns with severe head injuries.

“Nuns were beaten by a mob of 20 Hindu activists, when they were returning back after a cottage prayer meeting at their driver's house. They were dragged and their clothes were torn,” sister Geo from FCC told IANS.

Condemning the attack against the missionaries, senior Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay singh on Saturday demanded that the assailants be apprehended and booked under the National Security Act.

“I strongly condemn the attack on nuns at Indore. This is a very unfortunate and regrettable incident. Those involved in the crime should be arrested immediately and National Security Act slapped on them,” Mr. Singh said.

Accusing the BJP–led Government for its failure to protect minorities, women and children, Mr. Singh said it was protecting anti–social elements which were involved in disturbing the peace and amity in the State.

“While on the one hand the State Government was inviting investors saying Madhya Pradesh was a peaceful State, on the other hand Bajrang Dal activists have sent a message to the World that the atmosphere here was not fit for industrial growth,” Mr. Singh was quoted as saying, by a Christian news agency.

Sources also said, the police refused to register a complaint. "It’s only after applying pressure from Bhopal, the local police filed a First Information Report towards the midnight," they said.

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of the Indore diocesan education committee took strong objection to the apathy of the state and district administration. Education Secretary Sr. Christie said, “As a mark of protest we will close all our educational institutions in Indore, Dhar, Manpur, Devas and near by districts.”

A separate candle light procession would be held on Oct. 31 at 6 pm in TT Nagar.

“We welcome the support extended by the Left parties, secular organizations, various inter–religious forums, NGOs and socialist thinkers,” said Fr Anand Muttungal, Regional Public Relations Officer Catholic Church.