Malayali Nuns Remanded in Chhattisgarh: Christian Organisations Protest

Raipur: Alleging attempted religious conversion, Extreme Hindu right-wing activists assaulted two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. The arrested nuns, Preetha Mary and Vandana Francis, have been remanded to judicial custody. The incident has triggered strong protests from Christian organisations. The police action was reportedly initiated at the behest of Bajrang Dal. “There is a growing situation in the country where religious believers cannot practice their faith peacefully,” said Father Robin, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).

“Numerous similar incidents are being reported across the country. Attacks on nuns accompanying young women who come to join convents or who are interested in religious life have become common. These nuns are being targeted by anti-national elements.

They monitor the movements of nuns, attack them, and make false accusations. The allegations include human trafficking and forced religious conversions. This is followed by police detentions,” he added. The CBCI has demanded that the central government take immediate action to protect the rights of religious minorities.

The assault on Preetha Mary and Vandana Francis of the Agra-based Green Garden Sisters took place at Durg railway station. Bajrang Dal activists, shouting slogans, approached and threatened the nuns. Acting on instructions from Bajrang Dal, railway police took the nuns into custody.

The nuns had been accompanying three young women and a young man who were travelling to Agra on Friday morning. The girls from Narayanpur were heading to work at a church-run hospital in Agra. Their parents were also present. A TTE (Train Ticket Examiner) stopped the girls to check tickets.

Upon learning that they were travelling with the nuns, the TTE informed local Bajrang Dal members. “We are deeply concerned about the rising attacks against Christians,” said Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Emeritus of Mumbai.