Mangaluru: A strong protest was staged near the Clock Tower in Mangaluru on Friday, led by the Janavadi Mahila Sangathan (JMS), condemning the arrest of two Christian nuns in Chhattisgarh under what the organizers described as fabricated charges. The demonstrators demanded their immediate release and the withdrawal of the false case.
Anita Frank, women’s leader from the Mangalore Diocese, expressed grave concern over growing attacks on minorities, stating that despite constitutional protections, hate-driven politics have led to fear and insecurity among Christian and Muslim communities. She also criticized the supportive stance of central and BJP-led state governments towards these injustices.
District leader Ishwari Belthangadi slammed the Modi government for its hypocrisy, pointing out the stark contrast between their slogans on women’s empowerment and the failure to protect women religious workers. She called the targeting of Christian nuns, widely known for their selfless service, an “inhuman act” driven by Sangh Parivar extremism.
Other speakers, including Kiranprabha, Jayanthi Shetty, and Manjula Nayak, decried the politics of religious polarization, calling it a threat to democracy. They alleged that attacks under the guise of anti-conversion campaigns are being used to suppress the Christian community.
The protest saw participation from many women leaders and activists across Mangaluru, standing in solidarity with the persecuted nuns and demanding justice, secularism, and democratic integrity.