Thiruvananthapuram: A storm of protest is sweeping across India and beyond following the arrest of two Malayali Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh under charges that many are calling fabricated, unjust, and steeped in religious prejudice. The Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM), one of the most active Catholic youth organizations in India, has come forward with strong accusations against the Chhattisgarh government, alleging that it is enabling religious persecution by remaining a mute spectator to the actions of extremist forces.
KCYM believes that the arrest of Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis both belonging to the Cherthala-based Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (Green Gardens) was carried out under pressure from right-wing groups like the Bajrang Dal, who wrongly accused the sisters of human trafficking and forced religious conversion.
The nuns were taken into custody from Durg railway station along with three girls and a tribal youth while on their way to Agra for employment-related purposes. KCYM, after a detailed assessment during its State Secretariat meeting chaired by President Ebin Kanivayalil, condemned the incident as a calculated attack on Christian religious workers and a threat to India’s secular framework.
KCYM General Secretary Jobin Jose and State Director Fr. Ditto Koola highlighted that such arrests are not isolated events but part of a growing pattern where religious minorities, especially Christians, are increasingly being targeted through the misuse of law. Fr. Ditto stated that no innocent person should be punished just to serve an ideological narrative and warned that the country is veering toward a dangerous path if law enforcement becomes a puppet in the hands of religious bigotry. The organization criticized the state police for filing charges under the Chhattisgarh Prohibition of Forced Conversion Act and Section 143 of the IPC without proper evidence, merely based on the instigation of radical groups. It also demanded immediate legal assistance for the nuns and called on political leaders, civil society groups, and media houses to stand firm against this wave of harassment and misinformation targeting the Christian community.
The narrative presented by the authorities has been seriously undermined by the statements of the girls involved in the case, who have categorically denied any coercion or intent of religious conversion. In video testimonies given to local media on the very day of the arrest, the girls clearly stated that they had voluntarily accompanied the nuns for employment and were lifelong members of the Christian community. They revealed that their families had given full consent and even accompanied them to the railway station.
Moreover, all three girls were already affiliated with the Church of North India (CNI), exposing the baselessness of the conversion narrative. This has raised suspicions that the conversion charges were a late addition to the First Information Report (FIR) after it became evident that trafficking charges would not hold up in court. Critics argue this last-minute amendment was a deliberate move to deny the nuns bail and escalate the legal ramifications unjustly.
International condemnation of the arrests has also gained momentum. The Catholic Congress Global Germany Unit issued a strongly worded statement denouncing the arrests as an egregious violation of religious freedom and constitutional rights. They pointed out that such actions not only tarnish India's image as a secular democracy but also instill fear among minority communities engaged in selfless service. The Germany Unit urged the Indian government to uphold justice by ensuring a fair and transparent investigation and emphasized the need to shield religious minorities from politicized and discriminatory legal actions. Standing in solidarity with the nuns, the German Catholic community reminded the world that these sisters had dedicated their lives to spiritual and social service, and incarcerating them on unproven charges was a direct assault on their dignity and mission.
In Kerala, a state with a significant Christian population, the protests have been intensifying. The Archdiocese of Thrissur organized a major demonstration in front of the Corporation Office on Tuesday. The protest was led by Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, who also serves as the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), alongside Auxiliary Bishop Tony Neelankavil. In his address, Archbishop Thazhath minced no words in condemning the arrests. He declared that the Christian community would not back down until justice is served. “The Indian Constitution is not a hostage of hate,” he said, adding, “Christians have every constitutional right to serve this nation. Arresting nuns who sought only to help young women find employment is an affront to justice and an insult to national integrity.” The Archbishop reiterated that the girls’ testimonies completely negate the need for criminal proceedings and accused the authorities of bending laws to suppress minority voices. He also strongly objected to the portrayal of Christianity as a foreign religion, reminding the public that the faith has been part of Indian soil for nearly two thousand years and has contributed significantly to education, healthcare, and nation-building.
Meanwhile, the Durg Sessions Court is set to review the bail application of the nuns, offering a glimmer of hope to their families, Church officials, and thousands of faithful across India. Sister Preethi Mary’s brother, Baiju, who arrived in Durg to attend the proceedings, expressed cautious optimism. Political leaders have also weighed in. BJP State General Secretary Anoop Antony conveyed hope that justice would be served, while cautioning political parties against turning the issue into a protest spectacle.
On the other hand, CPM General Secretary M.A. Baby condemned the BJP-led Chhattisgarh administration for adopting “dictatorial tactics” and depriving even basic visitation rights to Church delegates. Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas accused Union Minister George Kurian of betraying Kerala’s Christian community and staying silent to protect his political career. He also criticized actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi for remaining indifferent, sarcastically remarking that Gopi might return only to “crown his mother” while remaining mute on pressing issues affecting the Christian faithful.
The wave of dissent has now taken to the streets across various regions of Kerala. A massive rally was held at Elavoor in Angamaly, the native parish of Sister Preethi Mary. In Edappally, hundreds gathered at St. George’s Church, where a symbolic protest flame was lit by Assistant Vicar Fr. Akhil Pallippadan. In Kochi, the Diocese led a dharna at the Thoppumpady BOT Bridge, drawing large crowds in support of the jailed nuns.
Protests are planned in other regions as well, including a Night March on July 31 at 6 PM in Kattappana, jointly organized by KCYM, SMYM, and the Idukki Diocese under the theme “Journey of Light Against Darkness.” Similarly, on July 30 at 6:30 PM, KCYM’s Manimooli Region will lead a protest at Edakkara Gandhi Square, calling on all citizens to rise against injustice and demand the immediate release of the innocent nuns.
This incident, now making headlines across the country and attracting global attention, is more than a legal matter it has become a litmus test for India’s secularism, judicial fairness, and constitutional integrity. With the nuns behind bars, their community in prayer, and voices rising from pulpits to parliaments, the nation watches closely waiting to see whether truth, justice, and religious freedom will prevail over prejudice and manufactured charges.