Kerala Congress on Wednesday held a protest in Thiruvananthapuram against the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh over charges of human trafficking and religious conversion.
Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat on Wednesday visited the Durg Central Jail in Chhattisgarh, where two Kerala-based nuns are currently lodged following their arrest on charges of trafficking and forced religious conversion.
The action is against alleged irregularities in purchases of medical equipment and reagent chemicals in 2023, through collusion with CGMSC officals that caused a loss of Rs 550 crore to the state exchequer.
Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrashekhar said that the party's state unit has reached out to the Chhattisgarh government over the arrest of the two nuns in Durg, clarifying that there has been "no issue of trafficking or conversion."
The arrest of two Kerala-based Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and religious conversion has ignited a political storm, with leaders from the Congress and CPI accusing the ruling BJP of targeting Christian minorities and suppressing legitimate rights.
"The atrocities against nuns in Chhattisgarh show the true nature of the Sangh Parivar. It is clear beyond doubt that the nuns were arrested and imprisoned on the basis of a false complaint filed by Bajrang Dal activists," CM Vijayan said.
According to police, the encounter between joint forces of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Special Task Force (STF) and Naxalites is underway.
"The issue concerns the illegal arrest, fabricated charges, denial of bail, and mob violence against two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh--an attack on the foundational principles of religious freedom, secularism, and the rule of law," the notice read.
The 15th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship kicked off in style, as Jammu & Kashmir, Hockey Association of Bihar, Hockey Uttarakhand, Hockey Gujarat and Chhattisgarh Hockey started their campaign with a win in their respective matches.