The arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh on human trafficking and forced conversion charges was a misunderstanding, stated BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar. He expects the nuns to be granted bail soon. This comes after his meeting with Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. Chandrasekhar stated that he was informed by Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah that the state government would not oppose the nuns’ bail. Chandrasekhar emphasized that the matter should not be viewed through a political lens, as it is a matter for the judiciary. The issue arose from the failure to register women moving between districts for jobs on a required portal, as per Chhattisgarh’s private placement agency regulations. Archbishop Thazhath, after the meeting, expressed the Church’s distress and desire for the nuns’ release. He also brought up the issue of safety concerns for the Christian community in the country. Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, nuns from Kerala, along with Sukhman Mandavi, were arrested on July 25 at Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh following a complaint from a local Bajrang Dal member, who accused them of forced conversions and human trafficking.
