Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday assured strict legal action against those who allegedly harassed nuns at Jhansi during a train journey in Uttar Pradesh.
While addressing a poll rally today, Shah said "Those involved in the Jhansi nuns harassment incident will be brought before the law. I want to assure the people of Kerala that the culprits behind this incident will be brought to justice at the earliest."
According to reports, four nuns including two postulants under the Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala, were travelling from New Delhi to Odisha by train on March 19. When the train during the journey pulled into Jhansi, a group of Bajrang Dal activists allegedly “harassed” the nuns alleging they were taking the girl postulants for forced conversion.
The all four were taken off an express train and detained for questioning by railway police. Upon examination, the officials said there was no basis in the complaint and all four women later took the next train to their destination in Odisha.
Taking note of the shocking incident, Kerala Chief Minister wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking his intervention in the matter. In a letter to Shah, Pinarayi Vijayan reportedly said that such incidents tarnish the image of the nation and its ancient tradition of religious tolerance. He asked Shah to direct the authorities concerned to take strict action against all groups and individuals who disrupt and impair the freedom of individual rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
Later, the issue was raised by party's Kanjirappally assembly candidate for April 6 polls, K J Alphonse. The Party soon took up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, respectively.
(With additional information from PTI)