ISIS-abducted priest's SOS to PM Modi and Pope: Ignored since I'm Indian
"If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value," Father Tom Uzhunnalil said in a video.
In Short
- Father Tom Uzhunnalil was kidnapped by ISIS in Yemen in March.
- "I am an Indian, not considered of much value," abducted Kerala priest says.
- "We are looking for ways to reach him," Sushma Swaraj had told Parliament in July.
Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted by Islamic State from Yemen in March this year has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pope Francis to secure his release from the terror group.
In a video message, Uzhunnalil, who belongs to Kerala, said since he was an Indian, he was being ignored by the concerned Christian authorities.
The authenticity of the video, which made it to YouTube and Facebook a day after Christmas,could not be verified.
HERE'S WHAT FATHER TOM UZHUNNALIL SAID IN THE VIDEO:
- If I were a European priest, I would have been taken more seriously. I am from India. I am perhaps not considered as of much value.
- Dear Pope Francis, dear Holy Father, as a father please take care of my life. I am very much depressed. My health is deteriorating.
- "I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard," he said while claiming that his abductors contacted the government on several occasions but nothing has been done so far.
- "Dear people, I pray you all, ask you all, beg you all to do your might to help me to save my life. I need hospitalisation soon. Please come to my help quickly," he said.
EFFORTS CONTINUE TO RESCUE FATHER TOM: GOVT
Responding to the video, the government said it is doing everything possible to help Father Tom.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said,"You are aware of the circumstances currently prevailing in Yemen where fighting is going on with no central authority in that country. With regard to the safe release of Father Tom who was abducted some months ago, we have been in regular touch with countries in the region, especially Saudi Arabia as also the local Yemeni authorities. Efforts continue in this regard."
WHAT FOREIGN MINISTER SUSHMA SWARAJ HAD SAID:
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had told Lok Sabha that PM Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen where India does not have an Embassy of its own.
"Abduction of Father Tom Uzhunnalil is a matter of grave concern for us. Yemen is a war-torn country. We do not have Embassy there but we are looking for ways to reach him. Not only me, but the Prime Minister during his overseas visits has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established with Yemen," Swaraj had told Parliament in July.
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