Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's Education and Labour Minister V. Sivankutty has raised a sharp critique against the silence of central government ministers from Kerala, as outrage continues to mount over the arrest of two Malayali Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. Addressing the growing unease across political and religious circles, Sivankutty questioned why representatives from Kerala holding central portfolios have chosen not to speak out on what many are calling a case of religious discrimination and wrongful imprisonment.
The two nuns Sr. Vandana Francis from Udayagiri parish in Kannur and Sr. Preethi Mary from Elavoor parish in Angamaly have been held in judicial custody since July 25, after being arrested at Durg Railway Station while accompanying three adult women for nursing work at a Christian institution. Despite proper documentation and legal compliance, the nuns were accused of human trafficking and religious conversion under the state's anti-conversion laws, and their bail has been repeatedly denied.
Minister Sivankutty pointed out that while various political and church leaders in Kerala have openly condemned the incident, the central ministers from Kerala—including those from the BJP have remained silent. "In a secular country that upholds the rule of law, it is dangerous when elected leaders choose silence over justice, especially when those affected belong to minority communities," he said.
The minister also indirectly criticized church hierarchies, alleging a lack of firm action. “Church authorities should not remain satisfied by merely issuing statements or offering prayers. They should be prepared to directly appeal to national leadership and mobilize support for those unjustly treated,” he asserted. He warned that a culture of passivity could allow such injustices to repeat, drawing parallels to the treatment of Fr. Stan Swamy, the elderly Jesuit priest who died in custody after being denied proper medical care.
Waves of protest have erupted across Kerala, with major demonstrations in Thrissur, Mananthavady, and Thiruvananthapuram, calling for the immediate release of the nuns. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and Christian organizations have condemned the arrests as unjust and demanded a fair trial. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging his intervention to ensure the nuns' legal and human rights are protected.
The Kerala BJP, facing pressure from within the state, has tried to manage the fallout. State President K. Surendran and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar have so far avoided direct comments, even as the incident fuels a political and communal debate. A BJP delegation has reportedly met with Chhattisgarh officials, seeking clarity, but public communication remains limited.
The Chhattisgarh government, meanwhile, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, maintains that the arrests were carried out based on preliminary evidence and an ongoing investigation. He has denied any communal or political motive behind the case, urging critics to await the judicial process.
Despite the official statements, video footage showing right-wing activists, reportedly from Bajrang Dal, shouting slogans outside the courthouse demanding denial of bail has heightened fears of mob influence in the legal process. These visuals have further galvanized activists and political figures, who warn of rising intolerance and erosion of constitutional values.
As the legal process continues under national scrutiny, civil society and faith-based organizations argue that the incident reflects a growing trend of weaponization of anti-conversion laws and the criminalization of Christian humanitarian work. Minister Sivankutty’s bold remarks have added a fresh layer of urgency, challenging both political leaders and church authorities to act decisively in defense of justice, minority rights, and democratic integrity.