Kerala nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh: CBCI alleges right-wing outfits fabricated case, seeks PM's intervention

Delhi: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has alleged that the Chhattisgarh police registered a false case against two nuns from Kerala under the influence of right-wing outfits. The association has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the matter. The CBCI also urged the Chhattisgarh government, led by the BJP, to take a stance to protect the rights of minority communities.

According to reports, Sister Vandana Francis of Udayagiri Parish in Thalassery and Sister Preethy Mary of Elavoor Parish in Angamaly were detained in Chhattisgarh. The police reportedly arrested the two nuns at Durg railway station on Saturday. The nuns, employed at Fatima Hospital in Agra, reached the station to board a train to Agra with three girls from Chhattisgarh. While the girls were waiting for the nuns, a TTE (Travelling Ticket Examiner) approached them and asked to see their tickets. They informed him that they had not purchased tickets and had arrived at the station as instructed by the nuns. Suspecting something unusual, the TTE alerted local activists.

Some right-wing activists arrived at the station and alleged that the nuns were attempting to take the girls for forced religious conversion. A huge protest broke out at the railway station. Following this, the police intervened and detained the nuns and the girls based on the activists' complaint.

“ The three girls reached the railway station with the permission of their parents. They had confirmed tickets to travel from Durg to Agra,” CBCI spokesperson Asha told the media. 

CBCI leadership alleged that some anti-national groups are continuing to attack the religious minorities in India.