Contemporary Events: Arrest of Two Nuns from Kerala in Chhattisgarh Over Alleged Religious Conversion Incident Sparks Mass Debate
In a shocking turn of events, two Catholic nuns, Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Church's Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate congregation, were arrested at Chhattisgarh’s Durg Railway Station on July 25, 2025, on allegations of forcibly converting three tribal women and trafficking them from Narayanpur district.
The arrests, which have caused a national uproar and political controversy, have been defended by the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, who called the allegations "very serious" and emphasized the state government's role in enforcing laws against illegal religious conversions and trafficking. The families of the three women, however, have denied any trafficking or forced conversions, stating the women traveled voluntarily.
The incident has sparked strong reactions from opposition Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and K C Venugopal, who have condemned the arrests as a blatant violation of religious freedom and constitutional rights under Article 25. They have criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, both federally and in Chhattisgarh, alleging systematic persecution of minorities.
Protests have erupted in Kerala, especially in Ernakulam and Thrissur, demanding justice for the nuns. The arrested nuns have reportedly stated their innocence, emphasizing their social work among marginalized groups and denying any wrongdoing. One of the three women involved stated she traveled voluntarily to work and was assaulted by Hindu activists after the arrests.
The Bajrang Dal, a Hindu nationalist group accused of targeting Christian missionary activities as a cover for forced conversions, has been implicated in the incident. The rule of law, as stated by Priyanka Gandhi, must prevail in this case, and the nuns must be released immediately if found innocent.
This case highlights deep political and communal tensions over religious conversion laws and minority rights in India. The United Democratic Front MPs have protested in parliament, demanding the immediate release of the nuns and accountability for the injustice. The Chhattisgarh government, on the other hand, maintains its stance on the seriousness of the allegations and its commitment to enforcing laws against illegal religious conversions and trafficking.
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- The arrests of the nuns have been a topic of discussion in various general-news platforms, with crime-and-justice segments highlighting the allegations of forcible conversions and trafficking.
- Politics has been thrown into the mix with the opposition congress leaders condemning the arrests as a violation of religious freedom, accusing the BJP government of systematic persecution of minorities.
