Union Ministers Criticized by LDF for Silence on Kerala Nuns’ Arrest in Chhattisgarh

Quick Summary

• Union Minister Suresh Gopi faced criticism from Kerala’s Left Democratic Front (LDF) for allegedly remaining silent on the arrests of two Keralite nuns in Chhattisgarh.
• Sisters Vandana Francis and Preeta Mary, of the Assisi Sisters of mary immaculate (ASMI), were arrested on charges of forced conversion and human trafficking, reportedly influenced by Bajrang Dal activists.
• Kerala General Education Minister V.Sivankutty questioned Mr.Gopi’s silence, citing his prior engagement with Christian communities during his Lok Sabha campaign in Thrissur in 2024.
• Union Minister George Kurian also declined to comment, citing constitutional constraints due to the case being sub judice. BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar supported this stance.
• LDF representatives accused BJP governments of enabling harassment against religious minorities thru extreme right-wing groups.
• Cardinal Baselios Cleemis called for justice for the nuns and emphasized sincerity and principles as crucial for friendship between communities.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The arrests of two nuns in chhattisgarh have sparked debates about religious freedom and political accountability. Criticism leveled at central figures within BJP reflects broader concerns over minority rights amidst alleged coercion by right-wing groups. Union Ministers’ cautious responses under legal pretexts suggest institutional boundaries but add fuel to accusations regarding duplicity in political outreach efforts.

For India, this incident underscores persistent fault lines between political strategy and grassroots realities of interfaith harmony.Kerala’s vocal response highlights a potential divergence between southern states with minority-centric dynamics versus northern states’ socio-political landscapes.

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