Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
Chhattisgarh/Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 29: A high-level delegation of five Members of Parliament, deputed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), visited two Kerala-based nuns imprisoned in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, sparking a fresh wave of political and public outcry.
The nuns—Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis—belonging to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate under the Syro-Malabar Church in Alappuzha, were arrested alongside a man named Sukhman Mandavi. The three were escorting women from Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, to a convent in Agra for employment when they were intercepted at a railway station by Bajrang Dal activists. The group was accused of religious conversion and taken into custody by local police.
Despite being elected representatives, the AICC lawmakers were initially denied permission to meet the nuns. Ironically, Kerala BJP General Secretary Anoop Antony was allowed access without hindrance. It was only after the intervention of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel that the Congress delegation was granted clearance to visit the jail.
The five-member delegation included MPs Benny Behanan (Congress), N.K. Premachandran (RSP), Francis George (Kerala Congress), Saptagiri S. Ulaka (Congress), and Roji M. John (Congress). They were also joined by Biju, brother of Sister Preeti.
Following the visit, Premachandran said the nuns were visibly distressed and traumatized. “They are still in shock. The accusations are baseless. The nuns and the women they accompanied were stopped at the station and abused by Bajrang Dal members, who even searched their belongings,” he said.
He added that one woman had ?2,000 in cash, which triggered allegations from the activists suggesting it was a bribe for conversion. “This shows the hostile environment and prejudiced assumptions,” he remarked.
Congress MP Benny Behanan strongly contested the original claims. “Initially, it was alleged that the three women were minors. That has been disproven—each had valid identity and Aadhaar cards. Allegations of forceful abduction were also refuted by their own families,” he stated.
An emotional moment was shared by Biju, Sister Preeti’s brother, who said: “I came from Kerala to see her just so I could reassure our elderly parents. We both broke down. It was heartbreaking.”
The delegation expressed disappointment at the differential treatment given to BJP leaders over elected MPs. “Despite being lawmakers, we were shown no respect. Meanwhile, a BJP leader was given prompt access. We will report this injustice to the AICC and raise it in Parliament,” Behanan declared.
Amid the political friction, Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar offered a reconciliatory tone. “There was a miscommunication—no trafficking or conversion occurred. The BJP stands with the nuns. If necessary, I will personally travel to Chhattisgarh,” he told reporters in Delhi.
In response to the arrests and perceived violation of constitutional rights, churches across Kerala are staging protests on Wednesday, demanding justice for the nuns and accountability from authorities.
Meanwhile, the nuns’ bail plea was rejected by a lower court on Tuesday, and their legal team is now preparing to approach the Sessions Court on Wednesday in pursuit of their release.