The government's adoption policy, which is being opposed by the Missionaries Of Charity (MoC), has now taken a political turn with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voicing her support for the latter.
On Saturday, Banerjee tweeted,
We fully support Missionaries of Charity and Sister Prema in their decision to opt out of adoption programme. They have a right to do so 1/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 10, 2015 Essence of India is unity in diversity. This is the pillar of our great nation 2/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 10, 2015The CM's statement is in direct opposition to Union Child and Women development minister Maneka Gandhi's, who said that the missionaries were following their own "agenda" so far on the issue of adoption, reported The Times of India.
The MoC, an organisation founded by Mother Teresa, has ideological issues with the government's adoption guidelines that allow single parents to adopt. The Charity has even sought derecognition for 13 of its 16 homes.
The government has said that children will be moved out of the institutions run by the Missionaries if the latter does not comply with its the rules.
The focus on the real issue of adoption seems to be getting sidelined as parties fight it out with each other over ideology and religion.