Shillong, Sep 22: Alleged “unlawful” detention of over 20 persons, including a Catholic nun and 19 minors, at a railway station in Jharkhand have drawn sharp criticism from the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
“This incident represents a disturbing attack on religious freedom based solely on unsubstantiated allegations, claiming trafficking and forced conversion,” NPP working president James K Sangma said on Monday.
The Catholic nun, two staff members from Catholic Charities Jamshedpur, and 19 minors were allegedly unlawfully detained at Tatanagar railway station at Jamshedpur on September 21.
According to Fr Birendra Tete, the NPP leader said, these minors were invited to participate in a legitimate two-day training programme on adolescent health and skill development.
“Their prolonged detention until 3 AM, despite no evidence of wrongdoing, demonstrates intimidation against religious minorities,” Sangma said.
Expressing the party’s “commitment” to protecting minority rights, the NPP leader said, “We call upon authorities to uphold constitutional provisions guaranteeing religious freedom and ensuring no community faces harassment for lawful charitable work.”
“NPP stands in solidarity with all religious minorities and will continue to strongly condemn any attempt to undermine our nation’s secular fabric. Such acts are not only unconstitutional but also damages our democratic nature,” he added.
