MP: Over 5000 Christians join protest rally against atrocities

More than 3,500 teachers that include Priests and nuns from Christian schools are on strike in Chhattisgarh protesting against the partiality and treatment rendered compared to their counterparts in state–run schools.

Including the Hindu and Muslim managed schools, the number of schools participating in the protest scales to 600. Most of the teachers have come from about 300 Church–run mission schools of Ambikapur, Jashpur and Raigarh dioceses, Franciscan Missionary Sister Pushpa Rani told UCA News.

Officials and members of the teacher's associations were the other participants in the protests, shouting slogans and delivering speeches explaining their plight. The strike according to the officials, will not defuse until the government agrees to their demands.

Sister Rani said Catholic schools have elected Hindu teachers as office bearers of staff associations lest the government accuse missioners of creating trouble. The state is ruled by the pro–Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian people's party).

Sanjay Kumar Dubey, president of the teachers association, told UCA News they have listed 26 demands including pay parity, gratuities, allowances, pensions, promotions and a provident fund.

Teachers claim that inspite of several protests in the past, the government apart from promises has implemented none.

Sister Mary Ambati, another Franciscan Missionary nun, alleges the state government gave a "demoting treatment to our schools, though we have better standard in education and infrastructure compared to the government–run schools."

The nuns say they will not return to their school unless the government fulfills all the teachers' demands. "If we go back (without success), we will have to come back again," Sister Ambati told UCA News.





The escalating violence against minorities and Dalits in the state has spurred a protest joined by over 5000 Christians along with 20 social organisations. The protest was carried on November 1, in the state capital Bhopal.

The rally was a follow up of the protest rally organized in Indore recently (Oct.28).

Commenting on the rally Bishops’ Council spokesperson, Fr Anand Muthungal said, “It was a splendid view to see more than three thousand people carrying candles and walking in unity to fight the atrocities.”

Archbishop of Bhopal Leo Cornelio led a 27 member delegation to meet the governor and alert him of the serious issues and the urgency in investigation on the attacks against Christians, Muslims and Dalits in the state.

Promising immediate response towards the attacks, the Governor said, “I am also studying the counter cases filed against the sisters who were victims by the members of the Dharm Raksha Samiti Members. Proper decision will be taken soon.”

Citing the barbarous attack on five nuns last week, the Archbishop said, "It is a blatant attack on human rights and blot to the soul of the nation.”

“From the time the BJP came into power in Madhya Pradesh there has been a number of instances of attacks on Christians and Muslims in the state. There have been over hundred small and big instances against Christians in the State,” quoted CBCI Fr Anand saying.

Joining the Christians in the protest, a Buddhist priest commented, "Over the few years’ continuous efforts by communal forces are carried out to disturb the Dalits. There is a conspiracy to disturb the communal harmony in the state."

Christians in the state felt very dejected by the recent attack on five Franciscan nuns, by the Hindu nationalists. The nuns who were returning after a prayer meeting were beaten badly causing severe head injuries.