Controversy Erupts in Chhattisgarh: Two Nuns from Kerala Apprehended on Alleged Religious Conversion Charges Cause an Uproar
In a controversial turn of events, two Catholic nuns - Sister Preeti Mary and Sister Vandana Francis - and an Indigenous youth, Sukaman Mandavi, were arrested in Chhattisgarh on July 25, 2025, on charges of alleged human trafficking and forced religious conversion of three tribal girls from Narayanpur district.
The girls, aged between 18 and 23, were reportedly being taken to Agra for work, and the arrests followed a complaint by a local Bajrang Dal activist. The nuns were charged under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (human trafficking) and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act, 1968 (anti-conversion law).
According to investigation details, the girls had legal identity documents and written parental consent. However, authorities argued that the required village-level permissions (palayan register and gram sachiv intimation) were not properly recorded. The nuns and Mandavi were intercepted at Durg railway station while accompanying the girls.
The arrested individuals were later released on conditional bail by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Bilaspur on Aug 2, 2025, under strict conditions after widespread criticism and protest from Christian communities over allegations perceived as harassment.
If found guilty under the charges, the accused could face penalties as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for human trafficking and severe punishment under the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act intended to prevent forced or fraudulent religious conversions. However, the case is controversial given the absence of evidence of forced conversion and the consent of the girls and their families. Critics describe the arrests as targeting religious minorities and using anti-conversion laws and trafficking charges as grounds for harassment.
The incident has sparked political debates and discussions on the misuse of anti-conversion laws in India. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has expressed regret over the politicization of the recent arrest of the two Malayali nuns at Durg railway station. Senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and K C Venugopal, have described the arrest as a "grave attack on minority rights."
Priyanka Gandhi strongly condemned the incident, stating that it is a "grave attack on minority rights." She emphasised that mob justice and communal targeting have no place in our democracy. The rule of law must prevail, according to Priyanka Gandhi.
The incident is not an isolated case, according to Priyanka Gandhi, as under BJP rule, minorities are being systematically harassed and vilified. The UDF MPs protested in parliament today, demanding the immediate release of the nuns and accountability for the injustice. Leader of Opposition (LOP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi described the arrest as "BJP-RSS mob rule" and a "grave attack on minority rights."
The state government is closely monitoring the developments and has taken the incident very seriously, according to a spokesman. Mr. Venugopal, in his post, stated that the nuns were "targeted by a violent mob despite no wrongdoing." Mr. Sai stated that the investigation suggests that the girls were being trapped in a web of deceit, under the guise of career advancement.
The chief minister described the incident of three tribal girls being taken out of the state as a "serious case of human trafficking and an attempt at religious conversion." Mr. Sai indicated strong action against those found guilty in Friday's incident at Durg railway station, stating that if a larger nexus of organized human trafficking or a religious conspiracy is revealed, the authorities will pursue the highest legal consequences.
The investigation remains ongoing, and any final legal outcomes or convictions have not yet been reported. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for careful consideration and adherence to the rule of law in such sensitive matters.
- The controversial arrests of Sister Preeti Mary, Sister Vandana Francis, Sukaman Mandavi, and the three tribal girls in Chhattisgarh have sparked general-news discussions on the potential misuse of anti-conversion laws in Indian politics.
- Critics argue that the arrests and subsequent charges against the nuns, an Indigenous youth, and the tribal girls in the human trafficking and forced conversion case are actually instances of targeting religious minorities, a matter of crime-and-justice concern in India.
