– Mohd.Naushad Khan
The Citizens for the Constitution (CFTC) has issued a strong statement condemning recent attacks on religious minorities, especially Christians and Muslims, in various Indian states.
CFTC accused state authorities and police of working hand-in-hand with Hindu right-wing vigilante groups. It said this collaboration undermines the constitutional rights of citizens.
The statement focused on the arrest of two Catholic nuns from Kerala—Sister Preety Mary and Sister Vandana Francis—and their associate Sukaman Mandavi. They were arrested by Chhattisgarh Police in Durg on July 25.
They were charged with “forcible conversion” and human trafficking under the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. The arrest was based on a tip-off from a Bajrang Dal member.
However, CFTC claimed the charges were false. One of the alleged victims said she was forced to give a false statement by Jyoti Sharma of Durga Vahini.
CFTC added that all three women were already Christians. They were only travelling for a job, with full family consent.
“This case shows how state power is being misused to scare minorities,” said the CFTC.
The group also flagged rising harassment of Muslims under the pretext of catching “illegal Bangladeshi migrants.”
In Gurugram, Delhi, and Haryana, Bengali-speaking labourers from Assam and West Bengal were detained, harassed, and beaten. This happened despite their having valid Indian documents.
CFTC said plainclothes police in unmarked cars demanded money from the workers. As a result, many families fled in fear.
In Pune, on July 26, a Muslim family was attacked by a mob. Ironically, one family member was a Kargil war veteran. The mob wrongly accused them of being illegal immigrants.
Shockingly, instead of arresting the attackers, police called the victims for verification.
CFTC said these are not isolated cases. They form a clear pattern of communal targeting.
The group urged the Prime Minister, judiciary, and human rights bodies to take action. It called for protection of constitutional rights and punishment for the wrongdoers.
“The state must not be a silent partner. Justice and rule of law must win,” said the CFTC leaders.
Signatories:
Dr. Ram Puniyani, Adv. Irfan Engineer, Neha Dabhade, Pastor Devdan D. Tribhuvan, Stanley Fernandez, Adv. Lara Jesani, Urmi Chanda, Shweta Damle, Mayur Yewle
