Thiruvanathapuram, 31 ഡിസംബര്‍ (H.S.)

ക്രിസ്മസ് പ്രാര്‍ത്ഥനയ്ക്കിടെ മതപരിവര്‍ത്തനം ആരോപിച്ച് മലയാളി വൈദികനും ഭാര്യയും ഉള്‍പ്പെടെ ആറു പേരെ മഹാരാഷ്ട്രയിലെ നാഗ്പുരില്‍ അറസ്റ്റു ചെയ്ത സംഭവത്തിൽ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിക്കും മഹാരാഷ്ട്ര മുഖ്യമന്ത്രിക്കും പ്രതിപക്ഷ നേതാവ് വി.ഡി സതീശൻ കത്തയച്ചു.

കത്ത് പൂർണരൂപത്തിൽ

I write this letter to register my strong protest and to seek your urgent intervention regarding the arrest of twelve persons, including a Malayali priest, in Nagpur on allegations of forced religious conversion.

It has been reported that twelve individuals, including Father Sudhir, a priest of the CSI South Kerala Diocese, Nagpur Mission, and his wife Mrs. Jasmine, were arrested by the Maharashtra Police following a complaint filed by Bajrang Dal activists. The arrests were made while a Christmas prayer meeting was being conducted in Nagpur at around 8.00 p.m. last night. Subsequently, those who came to the police station to enquire about the incident were also taken into custody, and cases were registered against them.

Father Sudhir, a native of Amaravila in Thiruvananthapuram district, has been serving in Maharashtra for the past five years. The remaining ten individuals arrested are natives of Maharashtra. It is learned that all the arrested persons are currently being detained at the Benoda Police Station and are likely to be produced before the court shortly. Although representatives of the CSI attempted to secure bail at the police station, they were directed to approach the court.

This incident is deeply disturbing and raises serious concerns about the violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India, particularly the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion. Arresting individuals for conducting a peaceful prayer meeting is unconstitutional and contrary to the spirit of our democratic and secular values.

On behalf of the people of Kerala, I express my strong protest against this unjust action. I earnestly request your immediate intervention to ensure the release of all those arrested and to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sreejith S