Protest in Thrissur against ‘unjust arrest' of nuns in Chhattisgarh
The protest meeting, held in front of the Corporation office, was inaugurated by Mar Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop of Thrissur and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).
Addressing the gathering, the Archbishop declared that the agitation would continue until Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethi Mary were released. 'You cannot hold the Indian Constitution hostage. Christians have every right to live and serve in India. Jailing nuns for offering employment to girls with their parents' consent is a national shame,' he said.
Sign of discrimination
The Archbishop termed the arrests unconstitutional and a clear sign of growing discrimination against Christians. 'Christians have contributed immensely to nation-building, particularly in education and social upliftment. Is that their crime?' he questioned, adding that such arrests reflected systemic bias against the community.
According to reports, the two nuns had arranged employment for three young women, who were of legal age, with the full knowledge and approval of their families. The girls were reportedly accompanied to the railway station by a male relative, and the nuns met them there for the first time. The girls belonged to the Church of North India (CNI), and no evidence of trafficking, coercion, or forced religious conversion has been established. Yet, charges under human trafficking and religious conversion were filed. 'There was no conversion attempt, no coercion. When bail seemed possible, they added conversion to the FIR to trap the nuns further,' said the Archbishop. 'This is a blatant misuse of anti-conversion laws, which themselves stand in violation of the Constitution,' he added.
Archbishop Thazhath also condemned the portrayal of Christianity as a 'foreign religion.' He reminded the gathering that Christianity has been part of Indian soil for centuries. 'India is home to many religions. Christianity has thrived here not as an outsider but as a religion deeply woven into the nation's spiritual fabric.'
Auxiliary Bishop Mar Tony Neelankavil also addressed the protest, emphasising the role of priests and nuns in transforming marginalised communities, especially in underdeveloped regions of north India. 'Unfortunately, those who bring light to the lives of the poor are often seen as threats,' he said.
Prayer service
Earlier in the day, a solemn prayer service was held at Puthanpally Church (Our Lady of Dolours Basilica) led by Archbishop Thazhath. This was followed by a massive march to the Corporation office. Hundreds of priests, nuns, and laypeople from across parishes of the Archdiocese participated, holding placards and chanting slogans demanding justice and voicing concern over the increasing hostility to Christians in the country.
The Congress and the All India Youth Federation too protested against the unjust arrest of the nuns.
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