CPI(M) MP John Brittas calls arrest of Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh misuse of law, seeks release
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New Delhi: CPI(M) MP John Brittas on Monday condemned the arrest of two Kerala-based Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh’s Durg, calling it a “blatant misuse of law” and demanding their immediate release.
In a post on X, Brittas wrote, “The arrest of Kerala nuns Sr. Vandana Francis and Sr. Preethi at Durg on baseless trafficking and conversion charges is a disgrace. This is blatant misuse of the law to target minorities. Free the nuns and stop the hate campaign against those serving society.”
The nuns were arrested on 25 July by the Government Railway Police at Durg railway station on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion following a complaint by right-wing activists.
Brittas also shared a letter he sent to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, urging urgent intervention to ensure their release.
Citing information received, Brittas said the nuns had travelled from Agra to Durg to receive three women and a man from Jharkhand, who had come with proper consent to work at the convent. Upon their arrival, all six were detained by GRP personnel on what he described as “false allegations”.
He said there was no sign of coercion or credible evidence of conversion. However, an FIR was filed, and the two nuns, along with one of the adults, have been sent to judicial custody.
Calling the arrests “shocking”, Brittas said it reflected “a growing trend of targeting minority communities under flimsy and communally charged allegations”. He also expressed concern over the confiscation of their mobile phones and the lack of communication with their families.
Brittas added that the incident had caused “deep anguish in Kerala and across the country”, warning that misuse of anti-conversion laws could criminalize lawful social and religious work.
"It is in the interest of justice, constitutional values, and the secular fabric of our democracy that this matter be addressed with the utmost urgency.... I earnestly urge your good self to immediately intervene to secure the release of Sr. Vandana Francis and Sr. Preethi, who remain under judicial custody," he said.
He urged the chief minister to intervene immediately for the release of the nuns and demanded an independent inquiry into the role of right-wing groups in influencing police action leading to the arrests.
