Chhattisgarh Assault Accusations against Bajrang Dal Lead to Nun Arrests in Kerala, Sparking Controversy
The past few weeks have seen a significant development in a contentious case involving the arrest of three individuals, including two nuns from Kerala and a tribal man, on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion in Chhattisgarh.
On July 25, the Government Railway Police (GRP) detained Preeti Mary, Vandana Francis, and Sukhman Mandavi at Durg Railway Station. The arrests have sparked a political and communal storm, with the case revealing a division within the BJP and strong opposition from left-wing and tribal groups.
The controversy began when one of the three tribal girls involved in the case claimed that she was travelling voluntarily to work as a cook for a monthly salary of ₹10,000, contradicting trafficking allegations. This assertion has raised questions about the legitimacy of the charges.
The girl's family had embraced Christianity six years ago, which contradicts claims of recent or forceful conversion. Furthermore, the victim's mother has claimed that she was not informed about her daughter's detention and that the job offer had been planned in advance, denying trafficking allegations.
Chhattisgarh has seen a rise in communal tensions since 2021, with over 250 FIRs related to religious violence. The state is reportedly near finalizing a new anti-conversion law to regulate religious conversions more effectively, a move that has been supported by the Chhattisgarh BJP leadership and state government officials.
However, the Kerala BJP unit has distanced itself from the Bajrang Dal—the organization that filed the complaint—declaring the nuns innocent and calling for their release. They condemned the Bajrang Dal’s actions as independent and unjustified, reflecting a softer stance compared to the Chhattisgarh BJP.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders and tribal groups have welcomed the bail as a victory against what they claim were false charges by Bajrang Dal activists. They continue to demand action against Bajrang Dal and Hindu Vahini for filing false complaints.
Bajrang Dal activists remain active with demonstrations, maintaining their allegations despite the bail and political controversy. The girl has alleged that Bajrang Dal activists physically assaulted her and Sukhman Mandavi during the incident.
Legal experts have pointed out that India's anti-conversion laws require demonstrable evidence of coercion, inducement, or fraud, and none of the three girls have independently verified any such claims, casting doubt on the legal basis of the arrest.
The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) has submitted an affidavit citing threats and forced confessions. The court's hearing on bail and coercion claims will determine the legal trajectory of the case.
Grassroots fallout continues to escalate, with Christian groups across Kerala and tribal districts of Chhattisgarh staging protests. An NHRC-led inquiry may be initiated following civil society petitions.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai defends the arrests, stating that the accused were involved in a scheme promising jobs and nursing courses to lure tribal girls into conversion. Opposition MPs have demanded a judicial probe into the Bajrang Dal assault allegations and a review of the circumstances leading to the arrests.
Several Christian organizations and civil society groups have demanded an impartial investigation into the Bajrang Dal assault allegations. The All India Catholic Union and United Christian Forum have submitted memorandums to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, pressing for action against Bajrang Dal members and restoration of community confidence in the justice system.
NHRC and NCRB reports have previously raised concerns over attacks on religious minorities in Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh State Minorities Commission has requested stronger safeguards for tribal and religious minorities travelling for work or study. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concern over growing instances of community-led vigilantism in India.
Bajrang Dal's Durg division convenor, Ravi Nigam, has accused Christian groups of continuing conversion activities despite the BJP being in power. This ongoing controversy underscores the need for a balanced and impartial approach to religious freedom and human rights in India.
- This general-news story, revolving around the arrest of three individuals, has taken a political turn, with the ongoing controversy over human trafficking and forced religious conversion in Chhattisgarh causing a division within the BJP and sparking strong opposition from left-wing and tribal groups.
- debates about the legitimacy of the charges against the nuns and the tribal man continue in crime-and-justice circles, as legal experts point out the requirement for demonstrable evidence of coercion, inducement, or fraud in India's anti-conversion laws, and the girl and two others have not independently verified any such claims.
