
Synod of Orthodox Church expresses anguish over persecution of Christians
In a statement, the synod condemned the attack on the two Keralite nuns by religious extremists, carried out in full view of the police, and their subsequent arrest on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. The synod also voiced concern over the growing threat to the secular fabric of the nation.
'Uplifting the destitute and the marginalised is a core principle of the Christian faith. The Church has been undertaking unparalleled missionary work among tribal and Dalit communities. In vital areas such as education and health care, the Christian community continues to deliver remarkable service. Those who view these efforts with hostility are, in effect, undermining the progress of this nation,' read the statement.

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The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Targeting of minorities is a national shame: Mar Cyril Baselios Metropolitan
The rising incidents of mob trials, violence, and systemic oppression against minorities, Dalits, and backward communities across the country are deeply alarming and shameful, said Mar Cyril Baselios Metropolitan, head of the Malabar Independent Syrian Church. Speaking at a protest programme in Thrissur on Saturday organised by the National League District Committee against the persecution of minorities, the Metropolitan said, 'The fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution are increasingly being denied to citizens.' Referring to the recent arrest and harassment of nuns in Chhattisgarh, he said it was just one example of the broader discrimination and suffering faced by tribal, Dalit, and minority communities across the country. 'Governments must act to put an end to this marginalisation and abuse. Justice must be ensured for the victims,' he urged. The Metropolitan also honoured leaders participating in a hunger strike demanding justice for those persecuted.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
NIA court in Chhattisgarh grants conditional bail to Kerala nuns, tribal man in human trafficking, conversion case
RAIPUR: A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district on Saturday granted conditional bail to the two Catholic nuns from Kerala and a tribal man arrested last month on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. The bail was granted by Principal District and Sessions Judge (NIA Court) Sirajuddin Qureshi, who had reserved the order on Friday after hearing arguments from both sides. Reacting to the development, Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said, "It was a legal procedure and bail has been granted in it." With the court granting conditional bail, the three accused were released from jail on Saturday evening, though legal proceedings in the case will continue. The defence lawyer Amrito Das told reporters, 'The bail was heard yesterday, and the arguments have concluded. Honourable court had reserved the matter to declare the verdict on Saturday. The bail application has now been accepted and granted to all the three applicants. The condition prescribed is that the applicants have to submit a bond of Rs 50,000 each. They must cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation and appear before the investigation officer whenever summoned. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo The accused are prohibited from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses in any manner, they will have to surrender their passports and can't leave the country." The alleged accused nuns Sister Preethi Merry and Sister Vandana Francis and another local tribal Christian Sukaman Mandavi, were arrested by Government Railway Police (GRP) on July 25 at Durg railway station. The arrests followed a complaint lodged by a local Bajrang Dal functionary, who alleged that the trio was trafficking three tribal girls from Narayanpur district of Bastar division under the pretext of religious conversion and taking them to Agra. Following their arrest, they were sent to judicial custody and the case was later referred to the special NIA court in Bilaspur. The issue has triggered political reactions from Kerala and beyond. According to the court's order, the bail was granted considering that no prior criminal record was found of any of the accused, all alleged victims are adults, and no material was presented to prove coercion or inducement for religious conversion. he accused were not found in possession of any objectionable material, and the prosecution did not seek custodial interrogation, indicating no immediate need for further detention, the order stated. The court noted that while the allegations are serious, the investigation is in a preliminary stage, and no direct evidence of trafficking or forced conversion has been presented so far. The judge emphasized that bail cannot be denied merely on the basis of unverified allegations when no strong prima facie case is made out at this stage. Speaking to media persons after the bail was granted, deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma who also holds Home portfolio stated that the investigation in the matter will continue, as it was alarming that girls from a place like Abujhamarh which hardly has access to a school, were being taken to Agra. It's difficult to open a school there, how could it be accessible for other to contact locals be taken to some place else, he said. 'As far as the issue of religious conversion is concerned, now that the matter is coming to the fore, it wouldn't be wrong for people to create awareness against such activities. Of course, it shouldn't be unlawful or personal act,' Sharma said. Meanwhile, the three tribal women survivors of Narayanpur went to the office of SP in district headquarters seeking to lodge an FIR against Bajrang Dal activists for allegedly assaulting them and forcing them to give false statements against nuns before the Durg GRP. Kerala's Cardinal Baselios on Nuns' Bail: 'We trust the courts, judicial process has now begun' Hours after the NIA court in Chhattisgarh granted conditional bail to two nuns arrested on charges of human trafficking and religious conversion, the President of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Catholicos told TOI over a phone call, 'With the bail granted, the first charter of the circumstance has come to a conclusion, but we don't think the issue is closed. The judicial process now begins and we wish the sisters to be declared innocent after the legal process.' Speaking as the spokesman of the Church, Baselios said, 'We all believe that they are innocent and were trying to help the young girls. The girls are mature and not minors, they can a decision for themselves. Let the court take its act of justice and we have all confidence in the court.' 'We believe that the accusations against nuns have to be proved, while my apprehension is that once a crowd is dictates what is right and not, things in democracy and judiciary will be in trouble. Let the court alone make the sincere investigation and find the truth,' he added. 'The nuns are from Kerala and we are with them on different levels as we have emotional attachment with them. They are not two simple sisters, the issue is of serious concern for us. It shouldn't happen again anywhere in the country. Else, anyone could accuse anyone and put them in jail, who will prove them innocent,' Cardinal Baselios said. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis is a former President of Catholic Bishops Conference of India twice, and is present consultant to Pope Leo XIV in the dicastry of inter-religious dialogue, besides, he's also serving as head of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church in Kerala. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !


News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Prosecutors say kids at camp sickened by sedatives in candy; 76-year-old charged
London, Aug 2 (AP) A 76-year-old man appeared in a court in central England on Saturday to face child cruelty charges after several boys at a summer camp were sickened by what prosecutors say was candy laced with sedatives. Jon Ruben was ordered detained until a hearing on Aug 29. He did not enter a plea during the brief hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court. Police say they received a report on Sunday that children had fallen sick at Stathern Lodge, a converted farmhouse with a sports hall and catering facilities about 120 miles (190 km) north of London. Eight boys between 8 and 11 and one adult were taken to a hospital as a precaution. All were later discharged. Ruben was arrested on Monday at a pub near the lodge. Ruben, whose home address is about 15 miles (24 km) from the lodge, faces three charges of 'wilfully assaulting, ill-treating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing children in a manner likely to cause them unnecessary suffering or injury to health," relating to three boys at the camp. The lodge is owned by Braithwaite Gospel Trust, a Christian charity. Police stressed that the owners 'are independent from those people who use or hire the lodge and are not connected to the incident". (AP) SCY SCY view comments First Published: August 02, 2025, 18:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.