Shillong, Jul 31: The Catholic Association of Shillong (CAS) has expressed concerns over the arrest of two nuns for allegedly being involved in human trafficking and religious conversion, and claiming that the charges against them were “baseless” and “falsely framed”.
In a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, CAS headed by former Congress MP Vincent H Pala claimed that the arrested persons were “only accompanying three young women, all above 18 years of age, with the full consent of their parents, for job opportunities”.
“Their work is in service to humanity, regardless of caste, creed or religion. We believe such actions help foster national growth and development,” the association said in the letter.
The organisation of the Catholic Christians alleged that the arrest was “instigated by members of the Bajrang Dal and motivated by communal bias rather than any credible evidence”.
The Railway Police arrested Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethi Mary from Durg Railway Station on July 25 on charges of human trafficking and religious conversion following a complaint filed by a Bajrang Dal functionary.
The association said the incident is an infringement on the constitutional rights of the minorities to practice their faith and engage in social work without fear of persecution.
CAS also urged the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister to intervene for the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested and protection of minority rights and safeguards against misuse of anti-conversion laws.
Mahila Congress joins condemnation
The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) has added its voice to the strong condemnation from various quarters in the state over the “unjust and deeply disturbing” arrest of two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh.
The state Mahila Congress, in a release today, said that it believes the charges of forced conversion and human trafficking against Sr Vandana Francis and Sr Preety Mary are “fabricated and politically motivated charges”.
“These arrests are not isolated incidents but part of a worrying pattern of systemic persecution of minorities in the country, especially targeting Christian missionaries, institutions and individuals who have long contributed selflessly to social upliftment,” MPMC president Joplyn Scott Shylla said.
She added a call for the nuns’ immediate release, a full and transparent investigation into the actions of the authorities, accountability of the Chhattisgarh and central governments and a unified voice of protest by all Christian denominations.
