Kerala Archdiocese Leads Protest Over Arrest of Two Nuns in Chhattisgarh

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The Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese in Kerala staged a large-scale protest on Thursday against the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion. Thousands of priests, nuns, and laypeople participated, with Church leaders condemning the arrests as unconstitutional and a violation of religious freedoms guaranteed under Articles 25–28 of the Constitution of India.

The demonstration began at Angamaly East Church and concluded at St. Joseph School grounds. Participants demanded the immediate release of Sr. Vandhana Francis and Sr. Preethi Mary, both members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate (ASMI), a congregation founded to serve individuals affected by leprosy.

Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany described the arrests as an act of “brutality” supported by the government. He criticized what he called the misuse of anti-conversion laws to target religious minorities, saying, “You have hurled mud at goodness and tried to blind the light in its eyes.”

Archbishop Pamplany argued that anti-conversion laws in 11 Indian states infringe upon the fundamental right to freedom of religion. “The anti-conversion law is a violation of human rights and unconstitutional. Only if this law is repealed will we believe that the ruling party cares for the country, secularism, and minorities,” he stated.

He also emphasized the Church’s commitment to speaking out against injustice, remarking, “We always dare to call a spade a spade. No one should misunderstand us as having forgotten the ideals of the gospel just because someone brings sweets. We will welcome you when you come to meet us, but that does not mean that we have mortgaged our integrity. We will still call a wrong a wrong, and hooliganism hooliganism, and it is good that all leaders understand this.”

The protest reflected concerns among some Christian groups over how anti-conversion laws are enforced.. Critics argue that these laws, while intended to prevent forced religious conversions, are often applied in ways that restrict legitimate religious activities and infringe upon constitutional rights.

The Chhattisgarh government has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations raised by the Archdiocese. The case against the two nuns remains under investigation.

This protest marks one of the most significant public demonstrations in Kerala in recent months on the issue of religious freedom, reflecting ongoing tensions between state legislation and constitutional guarantees of faith and practice.