ASIA/INDIA - Sister Valsa John’s murder: after a year, the trial for the culprits has not yet begun

Dumka (Agenzia Fides) - A year after Sister Valsa John’s death, a nun of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary killed in the Indian state of Jharkhand on November 15, 2011, "the trial for the culprits has not yet begun." And there is "strong pressure from the political and economic powers that hinder transparency and justice": This is what the Indian Jesuit Fr. Tom Kavala SJ told Fides Agency, who knew Sister Valsa directly and helped her in promoting and facilitating the development of tribal communities. The nun, who was killed at her home in the district of Pakur, had alerted the tribals to counter the illegal mining in the area (see Fides 17 and 21/11/2011). "Hers was a martyrdom: Valsa gave her life for the cause of the poor and marginalized communities" recalls Fr. Kavala, noting that "her experience today inspires all the people involved in the social advancement of the poorest in India."
The Jesuit reports that, despite the seven people arrested by the police a year ago after being convicted of murder, the trial court has not yet begun, due to bureaucratic delays and especially for the opposition of "big powers in politics and economics" " We believe that those are the real culprits. But in such cases - Fr. Kavala says in a worried tone - transparency is at a high risk, a fair trial becomes difficult and there is increasing impunity."
This morning, on the first anniversary of Sister Valsa’s death, a Mass for the repose of the religious was celebrated in Dumka, in the church of the Jesuits. It was attended by 25 priests, 80 religious women and more than 500 lay people, Christians and non-Christians who share the spirit and commitment of Sister Valsa. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Louis Prakash SJ, Director of the Indian Social Institute in Delhi, who applied to Sister Valsa the Gospel passage "Unless a grain of wheat dies it bears no fruit." Fr. Prakash traced Sister Valsa’s story, defining her an "authentic witness to the Gospel." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/11/2012)