CHENNAI, OCT 13: The Christian community, particularly Roman Catholics including priests and nuns today held fasts and took out rallies in various parts of Tamil Nadu to protest against the sexual assault of four nuns in Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh last month.All educational institutions run by missionaries in the state remained closed for the day as a mark of protest against the assault. In the city hundreds of Roman Catholic priests, nuns and laity led by Archibishop of Madras-Mylapore Diocese Arul Dass James observed a dawn-to-dusk fast and later went in a procession to the state secretariat where a delegation presented a memorandum to the chief minister demanding that the culprits responsible for the henious crime be brought to book.Talking to reporters the archbishop said that on behalf of the Catholic community in the state, representations would also be sent to the president, prime minister and Tamil Nadu governor demanding stern action against the culprits.He said fasts were held in 15places in Tamil Nadu. A Madurai report said about 5,000 persons took out a rally and submitted a memorandum to the district collector demanding severe action against those guilty of the crime.Addressing the rallyists Archibishop of Madurai Diocese and president of the United Christian Council Rev M Arokiaswamy criticised the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's stand on the issue and the `inaction of the Centre' in bringing the culprits to book.The city's Mayor, P Kulandaivelu and Church of South India Bishop Thangaraj David were among those who addressed the gathering. According to a Tiruchirappally report hundreds of Christians, including Catholic priests and nuns, observed a 12-hour fast which commenced early this morning to protest the assault.Later they took out a rally which was addressed by Christian leaders.
