Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly condemned the arrest of two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh, calling it a glaring example of the Sangh Parivar’s systemic assault on Christian minorities in India. In a bold and unequivocal statement, Vijayan accused the Bajrang Dal of orchestrating a false complaint that led to the unjust incarceration of the nuns, framing the incident as a symptom of a larger, dangerous ideological campaign.
Describing the incident as “a reflection of the Sangh Parivar’s real character,” the Chief Minister said the entire episode exposes the hypocrisy of those who outwardly project goodwill towards the Christian community but inwardly harbor divisive intentions. “Those who enter Christian homes with cakes and smiles are the same ones who hunt down nuns on fabricated charges of religious conversion and human trafficking,” Vijayan stated, denouncing the double standards often employed by right-wing groups.
Vijayan criticized the broader agenda behind the arrest, asserting that the Sangh Parivar fears India’s pluralistic ethos and the spirit of peaceful coexistence. “This fear is what drives their relentless attacks on minorities. Every incident like this is part of a calculated campaign to dismantle the secular fabric of the nation,” he said.
As soon as the news broke about the arrest of the Malayali nuns, the Kerala Chief Minister sent an official letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate intervention to ensure justice and uphold constitutional rights. However, Vijayan expressed disappointment that instead of seeking truth and fairness, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister publicly justified the arrests, further compounding the outrage.
“This is not just an isolated incident it is a deliberate attempt to spread hatred and foster communal division,” Vijayan warned. “The fundamental rights of minorities, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, are under siege. The entire country must resist this onslaught and defend the secular soul of the republic.”
His statement comes amid rising national condemnation over the arrest, with political leaders, human rights groups, and Church authorities demanding the release of Sr. Preethi Mary and Sr. Vandana Francis. The Chief Minister’s response adds weight to the growing call for accountability and underscores the need for stronger safeguards against communal vigilantism and misuse of legal provisions targeting minorities.
Vijayan reaffirmed that Kerala stands firmly with its citizens and will continue to fight all forms of discrimination and injustice, particularly those rooted in religious intolerance and political malice.