Why Are Nuns Being Arrested in Chhattisgarh? Bishops, Priests, and Nuns Rally at Kerala Guv’s Residence

Thiruvananthapuram, July 30 (NationPress) In a show of solidarity against the BJP and the Chhattisgarh government regarding the detention of two nuns from Kerala, a large crowd, spearheaded by the President of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference, marched towards the official residence of Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar on Wednesday evening.

Participants in the protest covered their mouths with black cloths.

The march was comprised of bishops, priests, nuns, and numerous individuals from various Churches across the state.

“We are gathered here because two of our nuns are currently imprisoned without justification. We are all aware of the compassion and kindness that nuns embody throughout the nation. It is incredibly unfortunate that these two nuns are now incarcerated,” stated Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Mar Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, emphasizing that India is a secular nation.

“What is perplexing is that this situation has arisen in a secular country like India, where everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and practices.”

“These nuns have been in jail for six days. We heard Kerala State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar declare that the nuns committed no wrongdoing. What further evidence is needed?” Cardinal Cleemis questioned, which was met with loud applause.

He also highlighted that if the accusations of conversions were true, then after 2,000 years, the Christian population would not remain at approximately 2.4 percent of the total population, unchanged since Independence.

“In times like these, it is crucial for leadership to ensure prompt resolutions to issues. When that occurs, people feel secure and protected in our nation.”

“We will not be intimidated by these actions; we will continue to serve our country and contribute to society. Christians will always be a fundamental part of India. I fervently wish for this deadlock to be resolved through decisive leadership,” added Cleemis.

Interestingly, just prior to the protest meeting, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who was in New Delhi, briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation.

Importantly, on Tuesday he clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the two nuns by the Chhattisgarh Police, stating that there had been a miscommunication and that neither trafficking nor religious conversion had occurred.

“It is now confirmed that neither trafficking nor religious conversion has taken place. There was a miscommunication in this incident. We, the BJP, will support the nuns until justice is served. If necessary, I will personally travel to Chhattisgarh,” Chandrasekhar told the media in Delhi on Tuesday.

Earlier that day, the two nuns from Kerala, currently detained in Durg jail, faced disappointment when a Sessions Court declined to consider their bail request, directing the petitioners to approach the NIA-designated Bench at the Chhattisgarh High Court in Bilaspur.

The court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction over the bail application in this case, which is under investigation according to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act.

Despite the nuns' counsel's appeals, the court dismissed the plea.

“The PM and Kerala BJP speak highly of their newfound affection for Christians, but in reality, they harbor malice towards minorities,” posted AICC general secretary Venugopal on X.

Congress legislator Roji M. John, currently in Chhattisgarh and who met the nuns, stated that the BJP is engaging in duplicity.

“We all heard what the BJP state general secretary (Anoop Antony) claimed. He said things were being clarified, yet on Wednesday in court, the public prosecutor vehemently opposed granting bail to the nuns. This was in stark contrast to what the Kerala BJP leaders are asserting,” said John.