Thrissur: In a firm and emotionally charged statement, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and head of the Thrissur Archdiocese, condemned the arrest of two Keralite nuns in Chhattisgarh, calling it "unconstitutional and a grave infringement on religious freedom." He was addressing the media following a high-profile meeting with BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the Archdiocese headquarters.

Archbishop Thazhath stressed that the nuns were detained without just cause and reiterated that they were merely accompanying adult girls who had consented to travel. "The arrests represent not only a legal injustice but also a targeted attack on the Christian community’s right to live, work, and serve without fear. It is imperative that the sisters are released immediately," he said.

He also appreciated the fact that Rajeev Chandrasekhar was the first political leader to respond positively to the Church's concerns and make a personal visit. "This is not a political issue for us," Archbishop Thazhath said. "We are not seeking favors. We are demanding our constitutional right to live as citizens of this country without harassment. The increasing attacks on Christians must stop."

Archbishop Thazhath also conveyed to Rajeev Chandrasekhar that this is a moment of truth for the nation, and that the Christian community should not be left feeling abandoned or vulnerable. "We are grateful to the media for taking this story seriously and giving visibility to an issue that exposes the deepening fault lines in India’s religious harmony."

In response, Rajeev Chandrasekhar assured that the concerns of the Church had reached the highest levels of government. "Father contacted me about this issue a few days ago. The Prime Minister has also taken note, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has given a clear assurance that this will be resolved at the earliest," Chandrasekhar stated. He insisted that the matter was not political in nature and reiterated the government’s commitment to helping any citizen in distress, regardless of caste, creed, or religion.

Rajeev acknowledged the sensitivities surrounding states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, where communal tensions often flare, and promised to maintain communication with the Church leadership in the days ahead.

The meeting marks a significant development in the ongoing protest by Christian organizations and civil rights groups across the country, who have alleged that the nuns’ arrest is part of a broader pattern of intimidation targeting minority communities under the guise of anti-conversion laws.