Arrest of nuns: Catholic church stages Raj Bhavan march against growing attacks on Christians

Thiruvananthapuram Catholic Forum, a collective of various Catholic denominations, staged a silent solidarity rally to the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday in protest against the arrest of nuns Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis in Chhattisgarh, alleging forced conversion and human trafficking.

The hundreds who took part had their mouths covered in dark cloth, a gesture the organisers said symbolised the stifling of the church in India today. The march began from the Palayam Martyr's Column and slowly, in nearly two hours, zig-zagged its way to the Raj Bhavan.

The march attended by various catholic church heads was led by Kerala Catholic Bishops' Conference president Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos. The silent march of the church came soon after the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) staged its Raj Bhavan march in protest against what it called the "illegal arrest and detention of nuns in Chhattisgarh.

The nuns of Cherthala-based Assissi Sisters of Mary Immaculate were arrested on the charge that they had forcibly taken tribals girls from their families for conversion. Sisters Preethi and Vandana are the first and second accused respectively.

The nuns have been charged under Chhattisgarh Religion Freedom (Amendment) Act, 2006, and also under section 143 of the Bharathiya Nyaya Samhitha (BNS) that deals with human trafficking.

The Chhattisgarh amendment says that those wishing to change religion must seek the permission of their district magistrate 30 days in advance. It also states that the return of people to their original religion will not be categorised as "forceful conversions" and those involved will not be punished.

Here is what Section 143 of BNS says: "If a person is convicted of the offence of trafficking of child below the age of eighteen years on more than one occasion, then such person shall be punished with imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and shall also be liable to fine."

Earlier in the day, a sessions court refused to entertain their bail application and directed the petitioners to approach the NIA-designated bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur.

The court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the bail plea as the case is being investigated under provisions of the National Investigation Agency 9NIA) Act. The two nuns are now lodged in the Durg Central Jail in Chhattisgarh.