Irinjalakuda Diocese dismisses Archbishop Pamplany's remarks praising centre for release of arrested nuns

Irinjalakuda Diocese Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan on Sunday dismissed Thalassery Archbishop Joseph Pamplany's remarks praising Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his efforts toward securing the release of the Keralite nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh.

In a clear rebuke of Pamplany, Bishop Kannookadan stated that it is the Church leadership that is responsible for taking the official stance. "Only Church heads are authorised to state the Church's position. Individual opinions do not reflect the official view," he clarified.

Earlier, speaking to the media following the release of the nuns from prison in Chhattisgarh on Saturday, Pamplany said the central government had made concrete efforts to secure their release. "There were genuine efforts from Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in securing the release of the nuns," he said. He also criticised the Chhattisgarh government, saying that the centre made the release possible despite opposition from the state.

However, Irinnjalakuda Diocese has come out strongly against both the Central and Chhattisgarh governments over the arrest of nuns, calling the inaction "disappointing" despite widespread protests. In a pastoral letter read during Sunday Mass in churches under the Diocese, it criticised the Centre for not intervening, despite protests inside and outside Parliament.

The letter condemned the situation where the arrested nuns, though eligible for bail, are still caught in a web of legal complications. "Despite nationwide outcry, the Centre has remained silent, and neither the Central nor the Chhattisgarh government has taken any steps for their release," the letter said.

Nuns Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis were released from prison nine days after their arrest, following the grant of bail by a special NIA court in Chhattisgarh. The nuns, along with Sukaman Mandavi, were arrested on July 25 by railway police at Durg railway station following a complaint filed by a local Bajrang Dal functionary. The complaint accused them of trafficking and forcibly converting three tribal girls from Narayanpur district.

The Diocese reaffirmed its resolve to intensify protests against what it termed an unjust and baseless arrest. "The bail granted to the nuns is not a relief but comes with stringent conditions. The chargesheet must be quashed and the case withdrawn," Bishop Kannookadan demanded.

He also called for legal action against communal organisations, including Bajrang Dal, and the train TTE who was allegedly involved in the incident. "The Central Government must act to curb extremist groups," he added. 

A massive protest rally involving believers will be organised in Chalakudy on Sunday evening as part of continued demonstrations.