Raipur: Serious allegations have surfaced regarding the arrest of two Christian missionary nuns in Chhattisgarh, revealing that the action may have been part of a pre-planned move orchestrated by the state government under the cover of national security. The incident, now drawing national and international attention, sheds light on increasing concerns over targeted legal actions against minority communities.

According to reports, a government directive was issued on June 30, empowering district magistrates to invoke the National Security Act (NSA) across Chhattisgarh from July 1 to September 30. The order was intended to act against any perceived threats to communal harmony and religious peace. Critics argue that this legal provision was strategically used to prepare ground for action against specific individuals and groups.

On July 25, two Catholic nuns — Preethi Mary (55) and Vandana Francis (53) — were arrested at Durg Railway Station following complaints lodged by members of the Bajrang Dal. The complaints alleged that the nuns were escorting three women from Narayanpur with the intention of forced religious conversion. Based on this, the authorities booked the nuns under the National Security Act, claiming their actions posed a threat to communal stability.

The nuns were kept in custody for nine days. Their arrest triggered strong reactions from religious communities, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders across India. Widespread protests and pressure eventually led to the intervention of central authorities, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court granted them bail.

New reports now suggest that the arrests were not merely reactive responses to Bajrang Dal’s complaint but were part of a premeditated operation enabled by the Chhattisgarh government’s June 30 directive. This has raised questions about the misuse of executive power and legal instruments to target specific religious groups.

The incident has led to mounting calls for an impartial investigation into the nature and purpose of the government order, how it was implemented, and the potential violation of the rights of religious workers.

Christian leaders and legal experts are demanding transparency and accountability. They warn that such misuse of national security provisions undermines the rule of law and contributes to the growing atmosphere of religious intolerance in the country.

The controversy surrounding the arrest continues to spark debate on the balance between national security and the protection of minority rights. The legal proceedings in the coming weeks are expected to be closely monitored by human rights observers and faith-based organizations across the country.