Durg Prison to Shift Ailing Nuns to District Hospital After Kerala Delegation Visit

Swift Summary

• Two nuns from Kerala, Vandana Francis and Preeta Mary, of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), were arrested by Chhattisgarh police on July 25 at Durg railway station.
• The nuns face charges under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (human trafficking) and Section 4 of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act, wich carry potential penalties up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines exceeding ₹2 lakh.
• their arrests followed allegations from Bajrang Dal activists that they were attempting forced religious conversions.
• A Left Democratic front (LDF) delegation visited the nuns in Durg Central Prison and reported their ailing health; prison authorities promised medical intervention.
• Annie Raja, a CPI member, stated that prison conditions are unbearable for the nuns due to chronic illnesses and alleged physical/verbal abuse by Bajrang Dal activists with tacit police support.
• A tribal man,Subhuman Mandav,traveling with them also faces charges related to “procuring women for conversion” amid allegations he was assaulted in custody. Three women accompanying the group have been separated by authorities.
• The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India plans to file for bail on behalf of the arrested individuals.
• CPI(M) leaders criticized local BJP governance, accusing both law enforcement and political parties like Bajrang Dal of targeting minorities unfairly.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The arrest and subsequent treatment of two Kerala-based Christian nuns have sparked controversy over religious freedoms in India. Key issues arise around institutional actions-such as allowing vigilante intervention-that complicate already sensitive matters involving religion. While legal proceedings will determine culpability regarding trafficking or forced conversions, concerns about fairness surface given allegations surrounding police inefficacy during mob action.

More broadly, this incident highlights ongoing tensions between faith-based organizations working in tribal or socio-economically vulnerable areas and right-wing groups who accuse such organizations of proselytization under coercive practices. Irrespective of affiliation or intent here,protecting constitutional guarantees like religious freedom while ensuring adherence to anti-trafficking laws will continue to shape debates around minority rights versus majority grievances within India’s plural social framework.

Read more: https://www.thehindu.com/theme/images/th-online/1x1_spacer.png