Will Spare No Effort to Secure Father Tom’s Release: Sushma Swaraj

The priest was abducted by ISIS in March 2015 from an old age home in Yemen, run by the Missionaries of Charity.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Image only used for representational purposes. (Photo: Reuters)

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that the government will spare no effort to secure Father Tom Uzhunnalil's release from captivity in Yemen.

"We got Father Alex Prem Kumar and Judith D'Souza released from Afghanistan... We have spared no effort and we will spare no effort to secure Fr Tom's release from captivity," the External Affairs Minister added.

The Minister's remarks come a day after Father Uzhunnalil appealed to Pope Francis and the Indian government through a purported video to secure release from his captors.

A five minute-six second video of Kerala priest Tom George Uzhunnalil has been released where the priest is seen begging for help for his release.

The priest was abducted by ISIS terrorists in March 2015 from an old age home at Aden in Yemen, run by the Missionaries of Charity.

Even as the authenticity of the video is yet to be confirmed, a pale Father Tom is heard speaking softly in a measured tone asking why no one seems to be doing anything to free him from the custody of his captors.

Also Read: Photo of Father Tom, Feared Captured By ISIS in Yemen, Emerges

Because I was working for the Christian religion in the Church, I was kidnapped. Several months have gone by and my captors have made many contacts with the Government of India to get me released. Honourable President and Prime Minister of India, I am very sad that nothing has been done seriously in my regard. Reports have been in the news that everything is being done to get me released quickly. But in reality nothing seems to have happened.

Father Tom

Neither the Indian government nor the Catholic Church, he says, appeared to be negotiating for his freedom. He believes this may have something to do with him being an Indian and considered to be of not much value.

Nothing has been done by our Pope Francis or the Bishop of Abu Dhabi to get me released in spite of contacts being made by my captors... I am from India, and perhaps I am not considered of as much value.

Father Tom

Father Tom cites the example of a French woman journalist named Noran who too was kidnapped from Yemen, but who was later released, to substantiate his claim of inaction by authorities. He thinks maybe if he was a European priest, there would have been more concerted efforts to ensure his safety.

Also Read: Conflicting Reports of ISIS Crucifying Indian Priest in Yemen

The video shows him repeatedly appealing to fellow priests, Christians, the Indian government and the Pope to do all that is possible to save his life:

My health is deteriorating. I may need to be hospitalised.