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Journalism of Courage
Bhopal, July 22: The Christians are feeling insecure following a series of attacks on the community in different parts of the country, according to Sister Nirmala, Superior of the Missionaries of Charity.
Talking to newspersons here, she said she could not identify those behind the attacks and it was for the Government to investigate into the matter. She regretted that despite the Government’s efforts, the attacks continued unabated leading to a sense of insecurity among the members of the community.
Asked about a report alleging the involvement of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the attacks, she said, “I am not a political person. I believe in love, peace and service to the humanity.”
She denied any forcible conversion by the Missionaries. “If anyone is touched by the love of God and desires to follow him, how can you stop him from doing so?” she asked. She said she herself had been a Hindu and nobody forced her to convert.
She termed as “nonsense” the report that non-Christians were being enticed into embracing Christianity in the north-eastern States.
Referring to Madhya Pradesh, Sister Nirmala said Chief Minister Digvijay Singh, who called on her at the Missionaries of Charity home here, had assured full protection to the Christians in the State.
Sister Nirmala was here as part of the statewide tour to step up the work of the home of Missionaries of Charity for the poor and weaker sections.
Earlier, the Chief Minister handed over papers of allotment of 2.5 acres of land at Khode near Bhopal on a nominal annual lease rent of Rs one to Sister Nirmala to enable the Missionaries of Charity to expand their social activities.
Archbishop Dr Pascal Topno and Member of Parliament Mebel Rebello were also present. Ms Rebello said she had donated Rs ten lakh out of her MP’s Fund to the Missionaries of Charity for constructing their buildings at the new site.
