Cong, UDF will back nuns' legal battle, says Satheesan
"For the past nine days, two nuns were in jail for a crime they didn't commit. Those spreading religious hatred are attacking minorities. Govt lawyers in Chhattisgarh argued against granting bail to the nuns. Bajrang Dal lawyers also argued against granting bail, treating the nuns like criminals who committed murder. BJP national and state leadership supported this," said Satheesan.
"This is the 834th attack against Christians in the last 365 days.
The significance of this incident is that it exposed BJP's true face. The nuns were arrested on false charges of religious conversion and human trafficking. In BJP-ruled states, nuns and clergy in religious attire cannot travel freely. This is the same administration that shackled and killed the venerable Stan Swamy in jail. It was a violation of the constitutional protections guaranteed to them," he alleged.
"MLAs Roji M John and Sajeev Joseph, who led the legal efforts, succeeded in securing bail.
Support will be given to all legal battles until the FIR is quashed," he added.
"Kerala's secular spirit was united in wishing for bail for the nuns. BJP is trying to bring divisive politics into such a society. Congress and UDF will fight this with all their might," said Satheesan.
Quash case against nuns, Venugopal to C'garh govt
BJP state unit leaders thought they could earn votes in elections by playing a political drama to create an impression that they intervened after Keralite nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh, alleged AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Saturday.
"That is just a dream. The Sangh Parivar mind is full of hatred and revenge. The nuns were portrayed wrongly as part of that and they came up with the accusation of religious conversion. BJP can't hoist the flag of love. There is no love and sincerity in them," he said.
Venugopal was speaking to the media after visiting the headquarters of Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, the congregation to which the two arrested nuns belonged, at Cherthala in Alappuzha.
He urged Chhattisgarh govt to show the willingness to quash the case against the nuns. "Why is Chhattisgarh govt reluctant to quash the fake case against the nuns? Govt wishes to prolong the trials against them," he said. Venugopal urged Centre and Union home department to demand of Chhattisgarh chief minister to quash the case against the nuns. "Strict action should be taken against those who illegally detained them," he added.
Govt has no role in bail, says KPCC prez
KPCC president Sunny Joseph on Saturday welcomed the bail granted to the nuns. However, he said neither central govt nor state govt have any role in the grant of bail to the nuns. "It is the court's discretionary power for granting bail. Those who claim that the bail was granted due to their generosity, should also be ready to take the responsibility of their arrest," he added.
Joseph alleged that the nuns were arrested in a fabricated case. "Bajrang Dal activists threatened and manhandled the nuns and the women who were with them at the time in search of a job. Legal action should be taken against those involved in the incident," he demanded.
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