Thodupuzha: The arrest of two Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh has triggered widespread protests across Kerala. Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil of the Kothamangalam Diocese demanded that the false charges filed against the nuns be withdrawn unconditionally by the court. He emphasised that merely granting bail is not sufficient.

The bishop was speaking at the inauguration of a prayer rally and public meeting held in Thodupuzha, organised jointly by the CRI and various diocesan organisations.

He urged government officials and authorities—who, he said, have come under the influence of religious extremists—to correct their flawed stance. He stressed that instead of offering temporary relief through discussions whenever Christian believers are attacked, the root causes of such hostilities must be addressed permanently.

“In a secular India, the constitutional right to religious freedom must be protected and universally implemented,” he said. He strongly condemned the attacks on poor, selfless nuns who dedicate their lives to serving the helpless, calling such actions inhumane. The bishop also called on those in positions of responsibility to act sincerely to stop hate campaigns by communal and divisive groups and to ensure that justice prevails.

The event, which included a prayer rally from Gandhi Square to St. Sebastian’s Church in Thodupuzha, saw the participation of hundreds of nuns, numerous priests, and thousands of laypeople from across the diocese. Holding placards protesting minority persecution and immersed in prayer, the rally concluded with worship at the church.

Kothamangalam Diocese Vicar Generals Monsignor Pius Malekkandathil and Monsignor Vincent Nedungatt, Diocesan Chancellor Fr Jose Kulathoor, Procurator Fr Jose Pulparambil, and provincial superiors of various religious congregations led the protest.

Catholic nuns Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis, both from Kerala, along with Sukaman Mandavi, were arrested on July 25 from the Durg railway station in the BJP-ruled state. The arrests were made following a complaint by a local Bajrang Dal functionary, who accused them of proselytising and trafficking three girls from Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh. They are currently housed in Durg jail as a NIA court reserved its judgement on their bail plea.