Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 28 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday termed the alleged harassment and arrest of Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh's Durg railway station as "Serious matter related to women's safety".
In an 'X' post, the Chhattisgarh CM stated that three girls from Narayanpur were promised nursing training and subsequently handed over to two nuns at the Durg station by a person from the Narayanpur district.
He stated that these girls were being taken to Agra and through an inducement, an attempt was made to engage them in human trafficking.
"Three daughters from Narayanpur were promised nursing training and subsequent job placements. They were handed over to two nuns at Durg station by a person from Narayanpur, who were taking the girls to Agra. Through inducement, an attempt was being made to engage in human trafficking and conversion. This is a serious matter related to women's safety. The investigation in this case is still ongoing. The matter is under judicial review, and the law will take its course," Chhattisgarh CM wrote on 'X'.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel attacked the state government over the issue and alleged that the minorities are not "safe" in India.
The former Chhattisgarh CM said that the matter was raised by the Congress party in the Lok Sabha and a letter has been written to the CM Sai by the party's national general secretary.
"Today, this matter was raised in the Lok Sabha; before that, our Congress party's national general secretary wrote a letter to the chief minister here, and today there was a protest in the Lok Sabha as well. Minorities are not safe in the nation. Wherever the BJP is in power, they target the minorities for their votes so that polarisation can be done...", Bhupesh Baghel told ANI.
Congress' Lok Sabha MP Hibi Eden has filed an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on the "recent attack" on Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh on Monday.
Submitting an adjournment motion to the LS Secretary General, the Congress MP stated, "The recent terror attack specifically targeting nuns and forcing them to hide their attire, including the Thiru Vasthram is a matter of grave concern. The incident raises serious questions about the safety and security of religious minorities in our country.
Given the gravity of the situation and the potential implications for communal harmony and national security, it is imperative that the houses discuss this matter at the earliest opportunity."
The Congress MP said that the nuns, who were allegedly arrested and assaulted in Chhattisgarh's Durg railway station, have demanded that the government make a statement on the attack, and ensure protection of religious minorities.
"To move that the house do adjourn its sitting till the government makes a statement on the recent terror attack targeting nuns, forcing them to hide their attire, and the measures being taken to ensure the safety and security of religious minorities," the Congress MP wrote.
"The government's response to this incident and the measures it proposes to take to prevent such incidents in the future are the utmost importance," he added.
Meanwhile, on July 27, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) also strongly condemned the alleged incident, claiming that according to reports, the women had explicit written permission from parents, but were physically assaulted after being arrested.
CBCI's statement read, "Such incidents not only threaten the modesty of women but also put their lives in grave danger. These repeated, unwarranted actions are a serious violation of the Constitution and cannot be tolerated."