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Minorities ask for more security in the wake of Buddhist nun’s rape
by Kalpit Parajuli
Hundreds protest in Kathmandu after a young Buddhist nun is the victim of violence. For the past 17 days, she has been in a state of semi-consciousness, whilst her attackers are still free. For critics, the government is washing its hands when it tells men and women religious to defend themselves.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Hundreds of Christians, Muslims and representatives of tribal groups protested yesterday in Kathmandu demanding greater protection and security for the country’s religious minorities. The event that triggered the rally was the rape by five men of Sangita Lam, a 21-year-old Buddhist nun, on a bus in eastern Nepal.
Sources told AsiaNews that she is still in hospital Siliguri (India) in a state of semi-consciousness. Her attackers, who include the bus driver and his assistant, are still free. A few days ago, the authorities said they would swiftly proceed against the offenders. However, they also rejected calls for greater security measures for minorities.
“Special security provisions for all religious minorities in the country are not possible now. The religious should be conscious and adopt self-security,” government spokesperson and Minister for Education and Sports Gangalal Tuladhar said.
For Angdawa Sherpa, a member of the country’s constituent assembly, “Sangita’s rape is an act of violence against all religious minorities.”
The lawmaker is critical of government inertia with police taking months to arrest people who attack members of religious minorities.
“If the government does not take immediate against them, more cases of violence against monks and religious will occur,” he added.