New Delhi: The National Commission for Minorities has sought to quash the recommendation by the National Commission for Women that the practice of confession in churches should be stopped. Union minister of state for tourism Alphons Kannanthanam also rejected the proposal saying it is not the stance of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.

George Kurien, vice-chairman of the minorities commission, on Friday wrote to prime minister Narendra Modi requesting him to reject the recommendation made by women's panel chairperson Rekha Sharma. Terming the recommendation anti-Constitutional, Kurien said those who occupy constitutional positions should not make such comments that hurt religious sentiments.

Kannanthanam made it clear that the central government has no intention to stop the religious practice. "Modi government never interferes in one's beliefs," he said.

Women's panel seeks an end to confession in churches

Sharma made the recommendation in a report submitted to PM Modi and union home minister Rajnath Singh.

Confession, a method of the church by which individuals confess sins and have them absolved by god through the administration of a priest, is obligatory in Orthodox church at least once a year. It is usually conducted inside the church.

The commission made the controversial recommendation in the wake of a case against four Orthodox church priests who allegedly raped a woman by blackmailing her over the secrets she revealed during confession. The commission has also sought a probe by a national agency into the case as well as rape charges raised by a nun against bishop Franco Mulakkal of the Catholic church.

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