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Protests over the arrest of two Keralite nuns on charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, and forced conversion in Chhattisgarh intensified for the fourth consecutive day, gaining ground across Kerala, the national capital, and Chhattisgarh.
The arrest of Sisters Preeta Mary and Vandana Francis of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) at the Durg railway station on July 26has drawn backlash from both sides of Kerala’s political spectrum, the clergy, and civil society. The nuns were taken into judicial custody while accompanying three women, including an Adivasi woman — on a journey to Agra.
Protests took a bipartisan turn in New Delhi on Monday, July 28, where MPs from both the Left Democratic Front LDF and the Opposition United Democratic Front UDF of Kerala staged demonstrations outside Parliament. UDF MPs staged a protest outside Parliament, holding placards that read, “Stop Attacks on Minorities.”
They alleged that Sangh Parivar activists had conducted a “kangaroo court” at the railway station, leveling false charges and instigating police action.
The Chhattisgarh police, protesters claimed, acted under pressure from these groups, swiftly sending the nuns to judicial remand. LDF and UDF leaders condemned the police's “meek complicity” and demanded immediate release of the sisters.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also issued a statement, squarely blaming Sangh Parivar elements for the arrest. “The action against the nuns in Chhattisgarh is a blatant display of the Sangh Parivar's real character,” he said.
“It is now clear beyond doubt that the arrest was based on a false complaint filed by Bajrang Dal members. This is the latest example of the ongoing assault against the Christian community. Those who visit Christian homes and institutions with smiles are the same who now hunt down even nuns, accusing them of forced conversion and trafficking.”
Pinarayi Vijayan added that he had written to the Prime Minister seeking immediate intervention and justice as soon as the incident came to light. “The Sangh Parivar’s attempt to continuously undermine secularism and attack minority rights must be resisted and defeated,” he said.
On July 29, Tuesday, Kerala saw demonstrations, particularly in Thrissur, where members of the Thrissur Arch diocese held a massive protest condemning what they described as “extra-judicial harassment” by groups affiliated with the Sangh Parivar. The Archbishop Andrew Thazhath who led the rally stated, “The religious freedom provided by the Indian Constitution has vanished here. Arresting nuns for giving employment to women with consent of their parents is a shame to our nation... This is a misuse of the anti-conversion law.”
In Thiruvananthapuram, Vicar General of the Latin Catholic Archdiocese, Father Eugene Periera, announced a symbolic protest march to the Raj Bhavan on July 30, with Church leaders and laity marching with gagged mouths. He called the arrest “an infringement on the constitutional rights of minorities.”
Meanwhile, tensions remain high outside Durg Central Jail in Chhattisgarh. Though a Kerala BJP delegation led by Anoop Antony was granted permission a delegation led by CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat was stopped by police citing prison timing restrictions.
Speaking to the media, Brinda Karat strongly defended the arrested nuns, saying they had all the necessary documents and permissions. Their arrest is a gross violation of their fundamental rights. “They (nuns) were stopped by Bajrang Dal people, these are extra constitutional people, these people who are instigating violence against christian community in Chattisgarh. The FIR should be immediately withdrawn," Brinda Karat told the media.