The recent arrests of Sr Vandana Francis and Sr Preethi Mary in Chhattisgarh are not surprising, as such attacks have been happening for a long time. Fr Stains faced similar harassment in his later years, and even Mother Teresa “ the ‘saint of the gutters’ “ was repeatedly targeted by certain majority community groups, causing great hardship.
The charges of human trafficking and forced conversions are an attack on their selfless service to the downtrodden, not acts of selfish gain. Catholic priests and nuns have made immense contributions to the nation in education, healthcare, and social service. Many of our prominent political leaders were educated in missionary schools and colleges run by these very nuns and priests.
If there is genuine, legally proven evidence of wrongdoing “ not fabricated claims “ then the law should take its course. However, arrests based on false or baseless allegations must be stopped. There are legal provisions to prosecute those who make false complaints, and such cases should be fast-tracked to prevent innocent people from languishing in jail and losing years of their lives for no fault of their own.
It is also worth noting that many people from majority communities work in missionary institutions. Unjust attacks may discourage these institutions from employing them, affecting their livelihoods. My humble appeal is to maintain peace and harmony, avoid falling prey to rumours, and remember that we are a diverse nation bound together by all religions and cultures, working towards the country’s progress. No religion is a threat to our great nation, which remains the envy of neighbours and the pride of its citizens.
