Fear has gripped the Catholic community in Chhattisgarh following the arrest of two nuns under the serious charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. The incident has triggered a political storm and drawn sharp criticism from Christian leaders and politicians nationwide. The two nuns from the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) convent were arrested while escorting three young women to domestic jobs in an Agra convent.

Another nun who resides in the same convent told TNM that there was an atmosphere of fear. “We are scared to say anything. If we speak out, two things can happen—either the nuns could be imprisoned for a long time, or we could be assaulted. There have been multiple attacks on Christians in this state. We are not safe, so we cannot speak right now,” she said.

She alleged that Bajrang Dal leader Jyothi Sharma assaulted one of the young women who were with the nuns, forcing her to alter her testimony. “The woman told the police she had come willingly, but after the assault, she altered her statement to say she was brought against her will. However, two other women stood firm in their statements that they came voluntarily,” she said.

Speaking with a trembling voice before ending the call, the nun stated that they are not permitted to gather or meet freely, facing threats even during private prayers with fellow Christians. “We haven’t converted a single person from this region in at least a decade. Still, we live in fear,” she added. 

Sisters Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis are currently lodged in Central Jail, Durg. Police have charged them under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for trafficking and under Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act, 1968. The charges carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.

The Raipur Diocese has reportedly been denied permission to meet the nuns and has not yet filed a bail application. 

“We couldn’t file a bail application today because of complications. Since the charges are serious, we needed to collect all evidence. We were planning to meet the parents of the three young women, but the police took the parents into custody before we could speak to them,” said Father Sebastian Poomattam, Vicar General of the Raipur Archdiocese.

He added that the young women had initially told the police they came with parental consent for work opportunities. “One of the Bajrang Dal workers assaulted a girl inside the police station and forced her to change her statement,” he said. “The women were clearly threatened into changing their testimonies.”

The Bajrang Dal leader Jyothi Sharma was heard threatening the nuns, saying, “If you don’t speak, I will smash your face.”

A video circulating on social media shows Bajrang Dal leader Jyothi Sharma threatening and assaulting the detained group inside the police station. Later, she told Asianet News, “I don’t hit everyone. I just hit people who convert Hindu girls to Christianity. I am confirmed that those women are Hindu, they have Hindu names. It’s the duty of Hindu organisations as well as the police to protect them,” she said.

On July 28, Members of Parliament from Kerala staged a protest outside the Parliament after being denied permission to raise the issue in both Houses.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai wrote on X, “Three daughters from Narayanpur were promised nursing training and job placements. They were handed over to two nuns at Durg station, who were taking them to Agra. Through inducement, an attempt was being made at human trafficking and conversion. This is a serious matter related to women's safety. The investigation is ongoing, and the matter is under judicial review. The law will take its course. Chhattisgarh is a peaceful state where people of all communities live in harmony. It’s unfortunate to politicize this issue.”

The incident occurred on Saturday, July 26, when the two nuns and a young man, Sukhman Mandavi, were arrested at Durg Railway Station while accompanying three women aged between 18 to 19 from the Narayanpur district. 

The Raipur Diocese has stated that the nuns were escorting the women to convents in Agra for domestic work. The women, all above the age of 18, were offered jobs as kitchen helpers with monthly salaries between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000, and had written consent from their parents.

Despite this, the BJP-led government in Chhattisgarh maintains that the arrests were justified under the trafficking and conversion laws.

Criticism has emerged from Kerala against the Catholic Church’s silence and what some call an alignment with the BJP. “Some Christian groups deliberately ignore the irony. They accept sweets here while watching statues of saints being destroyed in the north. It only takes common sense to see this hypocrisy,” said Bishop Geevarghese Mar Coorilos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s Thrissur Diocese.

In a Facebook post, he wrote, “Why are you protesting now? Wouldn't it be enough if you're invited to Delhi and honored again at the next celebration?”

In December 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had hosted a Christmas celebration at his official residence, attended by prominent Christian leaders including Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Anil Couto, Bishop Paul Swarup, and Roby Kannanchira, director of the Chavara Cultural Centre.

Speaking to the media, Bishop Geevarghese added, “The RSS is executing its stated agenda through affiliated organizations. The minority community and defenders of democracy must oppose and question this. But instead, we honor, elect, and encourage them. My statement is also self-critical of the community I belong to.”

“We Christians have historically sided with those in power—even Hitler. The same is happening here. Maybe we stay silent because we have too much to lose,” he said, when asked why other bishops remain quiet.

Several ministers from Kerala, including Roshi Augustine, P Rajeev, and Congress MLA Sunny Joseph, visited the homes of the arrested nuns in Kannur district. A group of Congress MPs including NK Premachandran, Benny Behnan, Francis George, and Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka reached Raipur on July 29 and announced that they planned to meet the nuns.

The BJP in Kerala has maintained a major Christian outreach campaign in recent years, including visits to Catholic homes during Christmas. Taking a dig at this, Congress MP Shafi Parambil told the media, “The BJP in Kerala is already preparing Christmas cake mixes to distribute to bishop houses. But they act as if nothing has happened after the arrest of two nuns in religious attire. The double standard is clear. This year, when they bring cakes, people will ask questions.”

This report was republished from The News Minute as part of The News Minute-Newslaundry alliance. Read about our partnership here and become a subscriber here.