After a Chhattisgarh sessions court dismissed the bail plea of two Kerala nuns accused of alleged forced conversion and human trafficking, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday assured intervention. He said he would meet Kerala Parliamentarians on Thursday to discuss the issue in depth.
The assurance followed a meeting with UDF MPs NK Premachandran, Benny Behanan, and Francis George, who sought the Centre’s urgent intervention. The MPs had earlier visited Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis, the two Catholic nuns held in Durg jail since last week. They requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah to ensure their swift release.
The court stated it lacked jurisdiction over human trafficking charges and directed the case to be taken to a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court.
The arrest has triggered widespread outrage, both inside and outside Parliament. MPs K.C. Venugopal and K. Suresh, during Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, denounced the incident as “shocking” and “disturbing”. Venugopal claimed the nuns were “falsely accused” and condemned their continued detention as “cruel and unjustified.”
He warned of escalating tension if the government failed to act promptly. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other Kerala MPs, also led a protest march outside Parliament demanding the nuns’ immediate release.
The case continues to gain political traction, with demands mounting for justice and a transparent legal review.