Kochi: In a powerful and strongly worded statement, the Catholic Congress (Syro Malabar Church, Global Committee) has expressed deep outrage over the arrest of two Catholic nuns at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh, describing the incident as a gross violation of human rights and a blatant misuse of law for political gain. The organization hailed the widespread protests held by its diocesan, forona, and unit committees across the country and commended the collective resolve of the Catholic community in the face of injustice.
The statement, addressed to Catholic Congress leaders and community members, highlighted the deeply troubling nature of the incident, in which Sister Vandana and Sister Preeti Mary were falsely accused and arrested under fabricated charges of human trafficking. “These sisters, who have left their homes and countries to selflessly serve the poorest and most neglected in unfamiliar lands, are now being vilified as criminals,” the statement read. “This is not an isolated legal mistake it is a calculated political move. Let us not forget that the ruling government and affiliated parties are fully responsible for orchestrating this narrative.”
According to the Catholic Congress, the denial of bail to the nuns is a direct outcome of a false and unrealistic First Information Report (FIR) created with the clear intent of criminalizing religious service. The organization's leadership slammed the authorities for filing the FIR without credible evidence and manipulating the legal process to restrict judicial relief. “This is nothing short of an institutionalized denial of human dignity and fundamental rights,” the statement asserted, calling it a dark moment for Indian democracy.
The Catholic Congress also criticized the recent trend of weaponizing the so-called religious conversion laws, which are now being widely used to curtail religious freedom under the guise of legality. “We must recognize the unconstitutional nature of these laws. They are being wielded to harass Christian missionaries and suppress their work. Bajrang Dal and other extremist outfits continue to terrorize communities with impunity, aided by the silence or complicity of local law enforcement.”
Further intensifying its criticism, the Catholic Congress said that transferring the case to an NIA court based on fabricated charges is an underhanded tactic to delay or deny bail and prolong the sisters’ suffering. “This is a covert legal strategy that must be exposed and condemned. Such manipulation of judicial processes for political ends is dangerous and unacceptable in a secular republic.”
The statement concluded with a strong call to action. The Catholic Congress urged all dioceses, foronas, and parishes, both in Kerala and across India, to launch intensified protest campaigns in the coming days. These demonstrations, the organization said, should call for urgent intervention from the judiciary and even the President of India to ensure the immediate release of the nuns and repeal of oppressive religious conversion laws that violate constitutional protections.
“Our fight is not just for two sisters,” the statement said, “but for the soul of our nation. We will continue this struggle until justice is delivered and dignity restored.”