Bhopal: Archbishop Dr Leo Cornelio met Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chauhan at his residence on 10 November 2007. He thanked the chief minister for the action taken on the attacks on the five FCC nuns in Indore of Madhya Pradesh.

He said the chief minister that a very positive message had sent to all sections of society by transferring of CSP and ASP, who refused to file FIR, to Ujjain and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister said, “I will not allow any injustice done to any one in the State. We are with you,” the Chief Minister assured him of all support.

It may be recalled that on 25 October 2007 around 8.30 pm a group of Dharm Raksha Samiti Members wearing khaki shorts and white shirts with sticks barged into Anil’s house and beat up five Nuns. The sisters along with people were praying in the house of Anil who is a Catholic and driver of the Franciscan Clarist sisters. The incident took place at around 8.30 pm. A mob allegedly lead by Mehra , Shivcharan and Manju began to beat them falsely accusing them of attempt to convert. They filed FIR against nuns and a Catholic person who works as driver on the same night.

RSS and its umbrella organizations held a meeting on 3 November 2007 under a peepal tree near the convent where the victims live. On the following day they held a rally in and around the convent area shouting slogan against the victims. They held public meeting near the convent and threatened them with further violence in the coming days. Sister Bina says, “The leaders of the fundamental organizations declared that the administration is our side and those who attacked nuns are set free. They tried to exhort people to use violence against the nuns. The police as usual gave a deaf ear to it. They silently support the moves of the fundamental organizations.”

Fr Prasad Kuzhyvelil, secretary, Harmony Foundation Indore, says, “The police are playing a very cold role, no action is initiated against any culprits who are involved in the issue.” He said on 3 November 2007 Left parties and social organization held a dharna in front of the Divisional Commissioners office, and a memorandum was submitted but so far nothing has been done. The memorandum demanded three things: drop the false FIRs filed against the sisters on forced conversions because it was a prayer meeting in the house of a catholic Christian member; control antisocial elements who in the name of religion playing communal role in Indore; and the police administration should take strict action against all antisocial elements.

As per the reports, the fundamental organizations are openly threatening the Christian community in the entire Indore city. The district administration is not assuring them of any security in the district. The community is totally under treat. People of good will must join the fight against communalism and human right violations, says Fr Anand Muttungal

Lukewarm police response

After the intervention of higher officials the Banganga police filed FIR against the three accused on 26 October 2007 around 9 pm. They were charged minor offences. The Christian community closed all the educational institutions as a mark of protest against the incident and the inaction of the police. The Christian community in collaborations with many socio-political organisations organised a rally on 28 October 2007 but due to pressure from the district administration it was converted into prayer meeting. On 30 October 2007, the police arrested the culprits but gave them bail from the police station. The doctor gave report of minor injuries.

On 1 November 2007 Archbishop Dr Leo Cornelio called for a candle lit protest rally in association with 20 organizations which was participated by over 5000 people from different communities. Around 7 pm he led a delegation consisting 27 persons from different religions and organisations to the Governor of Madhya Pradesh. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor. The Governor assured the delegation of full support. The Christians community declared to carry out rallies through the state if government failed to act. It also started a post card campaign against the atrocities committed against the Christian community in Madhya Pradesh.

And on 2 November 2007, the CNI Church organised a protest rally in Indore to express their solidarity with the victim.