Three Christian tribal women in Chhattisgarh have begun a relay hunger strike to demand justice after being assaulted by Hindu activists at a railway station four months ago. The protest, launched on 10 November outside the Narayanpur district headquarters, is being supported by their families and local organisations.
The July 25 incident at Durg railway station involved the women and two Catholic nuns from the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, Sisters Vandana Francis and Preeti Mary. The activists allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted the women, issuing sexual threats and accusing the nuns of trafficking them for religious conversion.
Following the attack, police detained the two nuns on charges of human trafficking and forced conversion. They were released on bail after nine days, under strict restrictions on travel and media contact.
“The women were forced to take this extreme step because police have failed to register a case against their attackers,” said Phulsingh Kachlam, district secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), which is supporting the protest. “They have approached every level of authority, from the local station to senior police officials, but no action has been taken.”
On 8 October, the Chhattisgarh State Women’s Commission directed the state’s Director General of Police to register a case based on the women’s complaints, giving two weeks to report back. That order has not been implemented. “Nothing has been done,” one of the women said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We will continue our fast until we get justice.”
Kachlam added, “Police acted quickly on baseless allegations made by the activists against the nuns but remain reluctant to act against the real attackers, despite clear orders from the state women’s commission.”
Adapted from UCA News.
