ASIA/INDIA – The Bishops: "Violence against nuns, a crime of which India should be ashamed"

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - "Physical violence inflicted on religious women, the rape of an old and sick nun, the desecration of consecrated hosts, are ruthless and inhumane acts, of which all citizens of India should be ashamed": this is what the Indian Bishops said in a statement sent to Agenzia Fides, expressing condemnation for the incidents in the school of Jesus and Mary in Ranaghat, in the state of West Bengal. "The Bishops' Conference of India – says the text - has learned with deep sorrow and dismay what happened. Condemning such ignoble acts, the Indian Bishops' Conference expresses solidarity with the victims of violence and has asked the Prime Minister of West Bengal to take appropriate measures to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide adequate protection to the nuns and religious institutions. Their unselfish service has contributed much to the development and progress of our dear nation".
The police arrested eight men accused of the attack which took place on the night between 13 and 14 March. The attackers are aged between 20 and 30. The 75-year-old nun who had tried to stop them was taken to a room and raped. The men stole cash, a cell phone, a laptop and a camera. The nun was discharged from the hospital after two days of hospitalization.
The Indian Christians say the government "has not taken concrete measures to protect Christians. We must speak out against the atrocities". The incident occurred a few weeks after the leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the main group of Hindu extremists, had despised and delegitimized the charitable work of the Sisters of Mother Teresa in West Bengal, accusing them of "proselytizing". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/03/2015)