Catholic nuns, priests convey their support for India's protesting wrestlers

The Conference of Religious India (CRI) expressed their support for India's women protesting against sex abuses in the country's national capital for the past 15 days.

Sister Nirmalini Nazareth, President of CRI, said, "We, the women and men of the Conference of Religious in India [CRI], salute you for challenging patriarchy and asserting your rights as women and human dignity."

She stated, "an example for women who face recurring sexual harassment, feeling helpless at work, in their neighborhoods, and public spaces." 

According to her, the Catholic religion in India condemns the violent and uncivilized actions of the police, which forced the wrestlers to end their rightful agitation.

Since April 23, prominent wrestlers such as Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, and Sangeeta Phogat have led a protest calling for Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh's arrest.

There are allegations that Sharan Singh sexually harassed multiple female grapplers, including a minor.

As the country faces burning and critical issues, Sister Nirmalini wrote the letter four days after calling more than 130,000 people to leave their comfort zones.

As well as the ongoing targeted violence in Manipur against Christians and other tribals, she expressed concern about the many severe happenings in India, the attacks against Church personnel and institutions in different parts of the country, denigration of Muslims, mainstreaming hate speech, and the pathetic plight of women wrestlers protesting.

To support the wrestlers and violence victims in Manipur, she suggested that religious people participate in various activities, such as protests, marches, rallies, and sit-ins.

In support of the wrestlers, she encouraged religious, clergy, and lay people to join a five-day nationwide campaign that ended on June 05.

A protest rally for the exact cause was requested by Sister Nirmalini to be organized by the diocesan units of her conference.-Anbu Selvam.