New Delhi: A storm of protest echoed within the Parliament premises on Monday as Congress MPs from Kerala, including senior parliamentarian Shashi Tharoor, raised their voices against the arrest of two Malayali Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. The nuns, Sr. Preethi Mary and Sr. Vandana Francis, were taken into custody under accusations of religious conversion a charge that has sparked nationwide outrage among Christian communities and human rights groups.
Tharoor, known for his measured yet firm interventions, joined his fellow Kerala legislators in staging a demonstration inside Parliament. “Joined Kerala MPs in protesting against the arrest of innocent nuns in Chhattisgarh as a result of Bajrang Dal's mob rule. Demanded that instead of arresting the nuns, the goons should be arrested,” Tharoor posted on X (formerly Twitter), sharply criticizing the state’s inaction against the perpetrators of vigilante violence.
According to Tharoor, he had taken the matter up personally with two Union Ministers over the weekend and on Monday, urging them to secure the release of the nuns and restore confidence in the rule of law. “Despite our appeal, the nuns remain in jail. This is deeply concerning in a secular democracy,” he added.
The protest comes amid heightened tensions between the Congress leadership and Tharoor, who has recently voiced differences on various matters including foreign policy missteps like the ‘Operation Sindoor’ controversy. Yet, putting aside internal party rifts, Tharoor stood shoulder to shoulder with his party colleagues in what he termed a “principled fight for justice and constitutional values.”
The incident in Chhattisgarh has drawn widespread criticism, with Christian groups asserting that the charges of religious conversion are baseless and a continuation of systematic targeting of minority communities. The Congress MPs demanded an impartial inquiry, immediate release of the nuns, and strong action against the Bajrang Dal members allegedly involved in instigating the mob.
While the central government is yet to make an official statement, the issue has now taken center stage in the monsoon session, potentially setting the stage for heated debates over religious freedom, state complicity, and mob vigilantism in India.