Justice or Friendship? Kerala's Catholic Church Challenges BJP Over Jailed Nuns

The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council voiced strong disapproval of the BJP over the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh on charges of conversion and human trafficking. The council warned this issue would influence the Church's political stance. Cardinal Baselios Cleemis questioned the BJP's sincerity while urging political parties to support the nuns.

The Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) issued a caution to the BJP regarding the two nuns jailed in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday. The incident is seen as pivotal in the Church's future political alignments, with concerns of justice influencing prospective relationships.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis expressed dissatisfaction over the denial of bail to the nuns, indirectly challenging the BJP's minority outreach claims as attempts to engender trust falter when justice is perceived as selective. Cleemis urged all political leaders to uphold the nuns' rights.

With the state's assembly elections on the horizon, the situation ignited protests and triggered condemnations across political parties, while BJP leaders grappling with the fallout suggested that Cleemis's comments were pressured responses to the current scenario.

(With inputs from agencies.)