In the ongoing controversy surrounding the arrest of two Malayali Catholic nuns, Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethi Mary, at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly condemned the incident. According to reports, the nuns were arrested by the Railway Police on charges of human trafficking and religious conversion following a complaint filed by a Bajrang Dal functionary.
The Kerala CM characterised the arrest as a form of ‘religious persecution’, alleging that the charges against the nuns are fabricated and orchestrated by members of the Sangh Parivar, the umbrella term for Hindu nationalist organizations in India.
The nuns, who hail from Kerala’s Kottayam district, were on their way to Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh to conduct a religious service when they were detained by the Railway Police. The arrest has sparked widespread outrage and criticism across political circles in Kerala and beyond, with many calling it an attempt to intimidate and harass minority communities.
Meanwhile, the Railway Police have defended their actions, stating that they are acting on a complaint filed against the nuns under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (human trafficking) and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act, 1968 (unlawful religious conversions).
The Kerala government has promised to extend all possible support to the two nuns and is in touch with their families and the Church authorities. The development has also drawn attention from the Centre, with several political parties demanding an investigation into the matter.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Chhattisgarh government will respond to these allegations of religious persecution and whether the nuns will be released or face further legal action.
