Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra spearheaded a charged protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday, accusing the BJP of orchestrating “systematic atrocities” against minorities following the controversial arrest of two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. Joined by Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, RSP MP N K Premchandran, and other Kerala MPs, the Wayanad MP staged a demonstration near Makar Dwar before Lok Sabha proceedings, demanding the immediate release of Sisters Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis, arrested on July 25 at Durg railway station.
The nuns, along with Sukaman Mandavi, faced allegations of human trafficking and forced religious conversion after a Bajrang Dal activist claimed they were coercing three girls from Narayanpur to convert. Priyanka condemned the arrests as baseless, alleging the nuns were “manhandled” and falsely accused. “These are women dedicated to social work, yet they’re being targeted for their faith. This is BJP-RSS mob rule,” she told reporters, calling for an end to such “atrocities” against minorities. She criticized the BJP-led government for prioritizing publicity over action, vowing to keep pressuring authorities.
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai defended the arrests, claiming the nuns were involved in a potential trafficking case, luring girls with promises of nursing training. “This is about the safety of our daughters,” Sai posted on X, dismissing politicization and promising a thorough probe. However, Priyanka and other opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, labeled the incident part of a broader pattern of minority persecution in BJP-ruled states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.
Also Read: Operation Sindoor Debate: Priyanka Gandhi Questions Operation Sindoor’s Halt
The issue has sparked outrage in Kerala, where the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF united in protest. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to PM Narendra Modi, seeking intervention, while a UDF delegation visited the nuns in Durg jail on July 29, later meeting Sai to demand justice. The Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council called the arrests “painful,” accusing the BJP of enabling Bajrang Dal’s actions.
The BJP’s Kerala unit, eyeing Christian votes for 2026 elections, scrambled to contain the fallout. Vice-president Shaun George assured intervention by the PM and Home Minister’s offices, with a party team led by Anoop Antony dispatched to Chhattisgarh.
Priyanka also raised concerns about Wayanad’s recovery, slamming the Centre for sending disaster relief funds as loans, burdening victims still reeling from last year’s crisis.
Also Read: Veteran Leader Kailash Gorantyal Dumps Party for BJP in Shocking Move!