Raipur – A major political and legal controversy has erupted following the arrest of two Keralite Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. The incident, which initially began with accusations of forced religious conversion and human trafficking, has taken a dramatic turn after the tribal girls involved filed a formal complaint against Bajrang Dal activists for assault and intimidation.
The two nuns, Sister Preethi Mary and Sister Vandana Francis, along with tribal youth Sukaman Mandavi, were arrested on July 25 while accompanying three tribal girls from Narayanpur to Agra for job training. The group was intercepted at Durg Railway Station by Bajrang Dal members, who accused them of conversion-related activities and handed them over to the police.
One of the girls, Kamaleshwari Pradhan, has since come forward with a public statement, alleging that the police forced them to give false testimony against the nuns. She stated that their journey was voluntary and organized with the full knowledge and consent of their families. Kamaleshwari also revealed that Bajrang Dal members physically assaulted them and mentally harassed them to the point of contemplating suicide.
Despite initial inaction from the Narayanpur Police, the girls have now filed a complaint at Orchha Police Station against Bajrang Dal leader Jyoti Sharma and others. The case is likely to be transferred to Durg Police for further investigation.
The NIA court in Bilaspur granted conditional bail to the arrested nuns and tribal youth on August 2. The court ruled that custodial interrogation was not necessary and granted bail with conditions including a Rs. 50,000 bond, surrender of passports, and prohibition on international travel.
Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty responded strongly to the developments, accusing the BJP of applying double standards. He said the same party that claims to protect minorities in Kerala is responsible for their persecution in states under its rule. Sivankutty criticized BJP leaders from Kerala, including Suresh Gopi and George Kurian, for remaining silent on the matter. He emphasized that the nuns received bail through legal procedures and not due to any intervention by BJP leaders.
Congress leader K. C. Venugopal also condemned the arrests, calling them part of a political conspiracy. He demanded the immediate quashing of the FIR and the arrest of Bajrang Dal members involved in the incident. Venugopal accused the BJP of misusing laws to target Christians and warned that their so-called outreach to minority communities in Kerala was a façade.
Church leaders have also voiced strong concerns. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) President Archbishop Andrews Thazhath called the arrest an instance of mob justice and demanded the withdrawal of false charges. Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis, along with the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), participated in protest marches in Thiruvananthapuram and other locations. The Thiruvananthapuram Catholics Forum organized a demonstration at Raj Bhavan, calling for protection of religious rights and fair treatment of the nuns.
Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan said that this was the 834th attack on Christians this year and pledged the full support of the UDF for the nuns’ legal fight. Protests were held across Kerala, and political leaders from other states, including Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, also intervened by writing to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister requesting justice.
The case has now become a significant national issue involving questions of religious freedom, minority rights, and political accountability. With legal action initiated against Bajrang Dal members and growing calls for the quashing of the FIR, the focus has shifted from the nuns to those accused of initiating the false case. The coming days are expected to bring further legal and political developments as pressure mounts on authorities to ensure justice is served.