New Delhi: Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) President Mar Andrews Thazhath has strongly condemned the arrest of two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh, describing the incident as both painful and unconstitutional. He emphasized that such acts undermine the very foundations of religious freedom guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.
“The arrest of the nuns is deeply distressing. It is especially heartbreaking that such a violation of dignity and freedom occurred in a country that prides itself on religious liberty,” Mar Thazhath stated. He further revealed that the nuns had been subjected to physical assault by Bajrang Dal activists before their arrest.
He criticized the misuse of power and communal hostility, stating, “This is an outright assault on constitutional values. Christianity has played a foundational role in the progress of this nation. The nuns who were arrested have dedicated their lives to serving the poor and marginalized.”
Mar Thazhath also mentioned his direct appeals to the country’s leadership. “I have consistently voiced these concerns to the Prime Minister, including through a personal letter during our meeting at Christmas,” he said. When questioned about the situation in Kerala, the archbishop acknowledged that discrimination persists even there, particularly within the educational sector. “Persecution takes different forms in different regions. Kerala too is not immune to injustice.”
He concluded with a sobering reflection: “There is good and evil everywhere. What we must ensure is that justice, equality, and freedom are not sacrificed to fear and prejudice.”