Nuns’ Arrest Ignites Debate on India’s Anti-Conversion Laws

The arrest of two nuns, Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis, along with Sukaman Mandavi, in Chhattisgarh has sparked a nationwide outcry over alleged misuse of anti-conversion laws and threats to minority rights. The Catholic Association of Shillong (CAS), led by former Congress MP Vincent H. Pala, has written to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, demanding the immediate release of the trio, arrested on July 25, 2025, at Durg Railway Station. The Government Railway Police (GRP) acted on a Bajrang Dal activist’s complaint, accusing the nuns of human trafficking and forcibly converting three women from Narayanpur’s tribal belt.

The CAS insists the charges are “baseless” and “falsely framed,” asserting that the nuns, from the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, were escorting three women over 18 to Agra for job opportunities with parental consent. “Their work serves humanity across all divides, fostering national development,” the CAS stated, labeling the arrests a “communal bias” driven by Bajrang Dal and a violation of constitutional rights under Articles 15 and 25, which protect freedom of religion and prohibit discrimination.

The incident has reignited concerns about India’s anti-conversion laws, like Chhattisgarh’s Religious Freedom Act, often criticized for vague provisions enabling targeted harassment of minorities. The United Christian Forum reported 834 attacks on Christians in 2024, with Chhattisgarh among the top states. Opposition leaders, including Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M)’s John Brittas, have accused the BJP of endorsing a “hate campaign,” while protests in Kerala and Parliament demand central intervention.

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CM Sai defended the arrests as a response to a “serious trafficking bid” but promised a fair probe after meeting Christian delegations. The CAS urged stronger safeguards against misuse of laws, warning that such actions threaten India’s secular fabric. As the case unfolds, it underscores the delicate balance between religious freedom and legal enforcement, with implications for minority communities nationwide.

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