Thousands protest in India after gang-rape of nun, 71

NEW DELHI: Thousands of Indians participated in silent rallies yesterday to protest against the rape of an elderly nun in the eastern state of West Bengal.

Ten men have been detained for questioning in the search for six robbers who allegedly sexually assaulted the nun and fled with cash after they broke into a convent in the town of Ranaghat on Saturday.

Around 4 000 people led by priests joined a solidarity rally to the town’s main church yesterday.

Church leaders said the rally was silent and featured no speeches. It was followed by a candle-light vigil for the victim.

Similar rallies and vigils were organised in state capital Kolkata and in New Delhi. Most of the protesters were students and parents who carried banners that read: “We Want Justice” and “Shame”.

Kolkata’s Archbishop Thomas D’Souza condemned the assault, calling it an “inhuman act”.

“We hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice,” he said. “We stand in solidarity with the victim.”

The nun, said to be 71, was admitted to a hospital. Doctors said she could be discharged in the next few days.

Police released images of four suspects from security cameras from the Jesus and Mary Convent.

Senior state ministers alleged that the incident was connected to what is seen as rising religious fanaticism in the country. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has promised strict action against those involved.

There have been a number of attacks on Christian institutions including churches in New Delhi recently. A church was vandalised at the weekend in the northern state of Haryana.

Christians have organised protests alleging Hindu extremists were behind the attacks. More than 80 percent of Indians are Hindu, while 13.4 percent is Muslim and 2.3 percent is Christian. – Sapa-dpa