Two Catholic nuns, Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethi Mary, were arrested at Durg Railway Station in Chhattisgarh on Saturday, facing serious charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. This incident prompted Meghalaya Cabinet Minister AL Hek to step in on their behalf, writing a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, urging for their immediate release. The nuns, originally from Kerala, were detained after complaints from Bajrang Dal activists and are accused of violating Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, as well as Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to human trafficking.
In his letter dated July 29, 2025, Hek referenced a previous phone conversation with the Chief Minister. He expressed concern over the arrests, stating, “As per our telephonic discussion regarding the recent arrest of the two nuns, I request your good office for their immediate release from Durg Railway Station on July 25, 2025, based on the FIR lodged by the Bajrang Dal.”
This incident has sparked a heated political controversy across the nation, with leaders from the Congress and CPI criticizing the arrests and alleging discriminatory targeting of Christian minorities. Opposition Members of Parliament, including N.K. Premachandran, Francis George, and Benny Behanan, visited the nuns at Durg jail on Tuesday to offer support.
Hek firmly believes in the nuns’ innocence, stating, “With a deep sense of concern, I humbly request you and your good office for the immediate release of the said nuns and to take appropriate steps to interrogate the causes and background of the matter. To the best of my knowledge and belief, the church is not involved in forced conversions but provides valuable services to all of humanity.”
The nuns belong to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI) and were reportedly accompanying three young women aged 18 to 19 from Narayanpur district at the time of their detention. Church officials have dismissed the allegations, asserting that the girls had confirmed tickets and parental permission to travel from Durg to Agra.
Minister Hek stated that Chief Minister Sai has assured him that necessary actions will be taken to secure the release of the nuns.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-minister-seeks-release-of-kerala-nuns-detained-in-chhattisgarh-1252825-2025-07-30?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-07-30 08:33:00
