Thiruvananthapuram: A Malayali priest and his family were arrested by Maharashtra Police during a Christmas prayer meeting in Amravati district, triggering strong reactions from Kerala’s ruling and opposition leaders.

Father Sudhir, a priest attached to the CSI South Kerala Diocese’s Nagpur Mission, was arrested along with seven others, including women, following a complaint alleging forced religious conversion. 

Police said the arrests followed a complaint by Lakshman Shede of Warud, who alleged that a pandal had been erected outside a house and villagers were offered money for conversion. The accused, including Father Sudhir and his wife Jasmine, were later produced before a local court and granted bail.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the incident as “deeply disturbing,” saying in a post on X that a Malayali priest, his family and aides were targeted in what he termed a pattern of intimidation against minorities. Such actions, he said, undermine constitutional freedoms and promote polarisation.

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking urgent intervention. Arresting people for conducting a peaceful prayer meeting was unconstitutional and against India’s democratic and secular values, he said.

Satheesan said Father Sudhir, a native of Amaravila in Thiruvananthapuram district, has been serving in Maharashtra for the past five years. He also alleged that those who reached the police station to inquire about the incident were detained.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph also criticised the arrests, saying the detention of the priest and his family during Christmas prayers posed a serious challenge to the religious freedom and equality guaranteed by the Constitution. He claimed such incidents were part of a growing pattern in BJP-ruled states.