DHAKA: Thousands are expected to join a rally led by priests in India’s Kolkata later on Monday in support of a 71-year-old nun who was gang raped at her convent school.

The city’s archbishop said, reports The Straits Times.

The rape by a gang of robbers late on Friday is the latest in a series of high-profile sexual assaults in India that have intensified outrage over high levels of violence against women.

‘We expect three to four thousand people to attend the rally. In fact, we have asked all the city parishes to join the rally,’ Archbishop of Kolkata Thomas D'Souza told the media.

‘We also expect common people to participate and express their solidarity to the victim.’

The archbishop stressed the rally was not aimed at condemning any political party over the attack, which comes amid concern in India’s Christian community at a spate of recent attacks mostly on churches.

Priests and other Christian leaders have blamed those attacks on religious hardliners who have become emboldened since Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi swept to power at general elections last year.

Archibishop D’Souza said hymns and prayers for the nun would be encouraged at the rally, which would culminate in a candlelit vigil on Monday evening.

BDST: 1415 HRS, MAR 16, 2015