Chhattisgarh: The arrest of two Catholic nuns from Kerala Sister Vandana and Sister Preeti Mary in Chhattisgarh under charges of forced religious conversion and human trafficking has triggered an unprecedented outpouring of condemnation from Church leaders across India, especially from Kerala. Accusing the authorities of religious targeting and constitutional violations, bishops and cardinals have rallied in strong defense of the nuns and denounced what they see as a systematic attack on Christian minorities.
In a powerful and emotional statement, Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt of Pala Diocese called the arrests a profound injustice against the Christian community and accused the authorities of falsely accusing consecrated women who have dedicated their lives to charity and prayer.
“We Catholics do not smuggle anyone. We do not kidnap anyone. These are fabricated charges meant to harass those who live for service and prayer,” Bishop Kallarangatt declared. He went on to say that the Church would not remain silent in the face of this humiliation. “This is not just a legal issue; it is a question of dignity, faith, and the constitutional rights of religious minorities. The faithful must awaken to this injustice.”
Bishop Kallarangatt also warned that the incident is part of a broader pattern of intimidation designed to silence the Church's humanitarian work, particularly among tribal and marginalized communities. He urged civil society and political leaders to intervene and safeguard the constitutional liberties of every citizen.
KCBC President and Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Major Archbishop Cardinal Baselios Cleemis echoed the condemnation, calling the arrest of the two nuns a “grave violation” of fundamental rights.
“This is about more than two women it’s about the very soul of India’s constitutional guarantee to freedom of religion,” said Cardinal Cleemis during a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram. He criticized the pattern of increasing hostility faced by Christians, particularly in BJP-ruled states, and accused political leadership of turning a blind eye to such transgressions.
The Cardinal demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi take direct action to uphold constitutional promises. “Justice must not only be done it must be seen to be done. We do not seek special privileges, only the rights guaranteed by law.”
Addressing criticism from Kerala Minister V. Sivankutty, Cardinal Cleemis remained diplomatic but firm. “We are aware of political maneuvering. The Church has always stood for justice not for any party.”
Thalassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany issued a stern warning that the Church would launch statewide protests if the injustice is not rectified immediately. Calling the conversion allegations “completely baseless,” Archbishop Pamplani said the nuns are being victimized under a flawed legal framework.
He decried the misuse of the Prohibition of Religious Conversion Act, saying it is being weaponized to fuel hate and propagate a communal agenda. “This law is not about protecting faith it’s about suppressing it. What happened in Chhattisgarh is not an accident; it is a deliberate move to demonize the Christian presence in poor and remote areas.”
Commenting on reports of mob violence preceding the arrests, Archbishop Pamplani called for accountability and stressed that justice should not be compromised due to political considerations. Responding to Sivankutty’s remarks on Church involvement in politics, he remarked: “Writing an editorial or offering prayers does not constitute a political agenda. It is wrong to read religious expressions through a political lens.”
In an equally scathing critique, Bishop Geevarghese Mar Koorilos of the Jacobite Church’s Niranam Diocese exposed the ideological hypocrisy of right-wing groups. “In Kerala, they deck the Virgin Mary in gold. In North India, they break her statues. This duplicity must stop,” he said, lambasting the Sangh Parivar for its dual-faced approach to Christian communities.
Bishop Koorilos emphasized that India’s secular ethos is being eroded by fascist tendencies, and that the recent arrests are part of a coordinated effort to suppress minority voices. “The narrative of forced conversion has already been discredited in courts. Yet religious workers are being hunted like criminals.”
The bishop pointed out the alarming nature of the legal charges both non-bailable and the risk of up to 10 years in prison. “This is not just harassment it’s intimidation through the legal system. These women are now imprisoned in Durg district jail, held under laws that have been repeatedly used to target minorities.”
All four Church leaders emphasized a common theme: the erosion of religious freedom and the calculated criminalization of Christian service and spirituality. They called on secular citizens, legal experts, and human rights defenders to act decisively.
With the two nuns still in custody under serious charges and no immediate sign of relief, the issue is now seen as a litmus test for India’s commitment to secularism and justice. Church leaders across denominations have made it clear that they will not remain silent as Christians continue to be persecuted under the pretense of national security and legal formality.
As the controversy deepens, the Church has issued a collective call to all democratic and secular forces to resist what they view as an emerging authoritarian trend. “This is no longer about a single case,” concluded Bishop Koorilos. “It is about saving the soul of our secular nation.”