Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani demanded to know what steps the Kerala government was taking for the security of the four nuns who had pledged their support for a colleague allegedly raped by Bishop Franco Mullakal.

Four of the five nuns who came out in support of the alleged rape victim have been transferred out of the Kuravilangad convent.

Sister Alphy Pallasseril, Sister Anupama Kelamangalathuveliyil, Sister Josephine Villoonnickal and Sister Ancitta Urumbil have been reminded to execute their past transfer orders to move to other convents in Punjab, Bihar and Kerala.

Sabarimala issue

Ms. Irani, addressing a press conference in New Delhi, said: People who speak about women empowerment [a reference to the entry of women of menarche age into the Sabarimala temple] but keep quiet when women empowerment is not convenient for them politically should be questioned. The Kerala government should be asked about the steps it has taken for the security of the four nuns.

Sedition case

She also spoke about the sedition case against JNU students Kanhaiya Kumar and others and Congress leaders speaking out against the use of sedition law in a democratic country.

She added that the BJP through its welfare programmes was trying to empower the country while the Congress, for political expedience was together with those who asked for the country to be divided into pieces.