Textiles Minister Smriti Irani took a jibe at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, demanding to know what actions the Kerala government had taken for security of the four nuns who pledged their support for a colleague allegedly raped by Bishop Franco Mullakal.

The nuns who came out in support of the alleged rape victim have been transferred from the Kuravilangad convent, reports The Hindu.

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

Furthermore, Irani taunted the government on the issue of Sabarimala and said “People who speak about women’s empowerment [a reference to the entry of women of menarche age into the Sabarimala temple] but keep quiet when women’s 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.”