Church demands justice for minor rape victim of Kathua

Hundreds of people belonging to Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madurai came out on Sunday to form a human chain demanding justice for the eight-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the demonstration staged by Chrithavar Vazhvurimai Iyakkam of Madurai Archdiocese, the participants demanded stringent punishment as per law. Alleging that safety of women in general had been threatened in the country, particularly under the present Union government, the protesters demanded the State and Central governments to ensure the safety of women and girl children.

Vicar General of Madurai Archdiocese Jeyaraj, who led the demonstration, said unnecessary delays must be avoided and justice delivered quickly in rape cases, particularly those involving children as victims, so that it would act as a deterrent for those committing such crimes.

They also condemned the BJP-led government at the Centre for allegedly practising a totalitarian approach in governance. They appealed to the State government not to be supportive of the Union government in its “anti-people measures.”

Earlier, following the holy mass in all Roman Catholic churches here, special prayers were held in remembrance of the child victim of Kathua.

A statement issued by the forum said people from more than 10 churches in the city took part in the human chain.