The incident has sparked strong political and public reactions in Kerala, with growing demands for swift action from the Union government.
Published Jul 28, 2025 | 7:43 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 28, 2025 | 12:36 PM
Sister Vandana Francis from Thalassery and Sister Preethi Mary from Angamaly, who were arrested in Chhattisgarh.
Synopsis: The arrest of two Malayali nuns in Chhattisgarh triggered strong political and religious reactions in Kerala. Leaders across political lines protested the arrest. The chief minister wrote to the prime minister, demanding immediate intervention and Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly said it was part of a larger pattern of Sangh Parivar hypocrisy.
The arrest of two Malayali nuns — Sister Vandana Francis from Thalassery and Sister Preethi Mary from Angamaly, members of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Assisi — on Friday, 25 July, in Chhattisgarh, triggered strong political and religious reactions in Kerala.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State President Sadik Ali Shihab Thangal condemned the arrest, calling it a serious attack on religious freedom and a violation of constitutional rights. He warned that such incidents reflect a growing trend of targeting minorities nationwide and urged secular forces to resist these actions.
Congress MP and Party’s General Secretary KC Venugopal also voiced concern in a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, clarifying that the nuns, who work at a hospital in Agra (Uttar Pradesh), were in Durg (Chhattisgarh) to assist three women with employment.
The issue has now become a flashpoint, drawing widespread criticism from Christian groups and political leaders across Kerala.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said the incident reflected a dangerous pattern of systematic persecution of minorities under the BJP regime.
Protests have broken out across Kerala following the arrest of the nuns on charges of human trafficking.
They were taken into custody at Durg railway station, where they had gone to receive three girls reportedly coming for domestic work at Fatima Hospital in Agra, where the nuns are employed.
In response, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging immediate intervention to ensure the release of the two nuns. He emphasised the seriousness of the situation and the distress caused in Kerala.
Supporting the chief minister’s appeal, Kerala Congress (M) Chairman and MP Jose K Mani has also written to the prime minister, requesting that the Union government extend legal support to secure their release.
“Two Catholic nuns jailed in Chhattisgarh after being targeted for their faith – this isn’t justice, it’s BJP-RSS mob rule. It reflects a dangerous pattern: systematic persecution of minorities under this regime. UDF MPs protested in Parliament today. We will not be silent. Religious freedom is a constitutional right. We demand their immediate release and accountability for this injustice,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X.
The incident has sparked strong political and public reactions in Kerala, with growing demands for swift action from the Union government.
With 834 reported incidents of violence against Christians in 2024 alone, up from 127 in 2014, the recent arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh has reignited concerns over religious persecution under BJP rule.
The nuns, Preethi Mary and Vandana, were accused of religious conversion and trafficking despite carrying written parental consent. Footage has emerged showing Bajrang Dal members interrogating the nuns and inspecting their belongings in the presence of police.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) condemned the arrests, calling the charges fabricated and accusing right-wing groups of orchestrating the incident. They urged Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to act against the rising attacks.
Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan criticised the incident and said it was part of a larger pattern of Sangh Parivar hypocrisy, “wolves in sheep’s clothing” who show symbolic goodwill in Kerala while attacking Christians elsewhere.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph termed the arrests “barbaric and illegal,” asserting that this is part of a nationwide campaign of Christian persecution.
MPs from Kerala are moving to raise the issue in Parliament as well. Benny Behanan, Hibi Eden and Anto Antony have given notice for an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha.
In a post on Facebook, Ernakulam MP Eden termed the attacks as state-sponsored.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
