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Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP vs BJP: Why Kerala nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh has driven party units apart
The arrest of two Catholic nuns in the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh on charges of alleged 'conversion and human trafficking' has upset the party unit in Kerala, where it is making attempts to reach out to the influential Christian community in the run-up to the local body elections, slated later this year, and the Assembly elections due in April 2026. Deviating from the party line in Chhattisgarh and other states over conversion, the Kerala BJP has rejected the case slapped by the Chhattisgarh administration against the nuns, who are from Kerala. It is another matter that a section of the Sangh Parivar hardliners in Kerala has seized on nuns' arrest to put the conversion row on the front burner. In recent years the Kerala BJP has sought to sidestep the issue of conversion in its bid to connect with Christians in the state. Chattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday justified the police action against the nuns, saying that the issue was 'serious and sensitive that affects safety of our daughters'' and that it 'should not be politicised'. The Kerala BJP has dismissed CM Sai's statement, asserting that the arrested nuns were not involved in any conversion or human trafficking attempts. It has also rushed party general secretary Anoop Antony, its key Christain face, to Raipur to take up the matter with the authorities there to provide relief to the jailed nuns. Kerala BJP president and ex-Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar told reporters in Delhi, 'We will ensure all support for the nuns. Our state general secretary is currently in Chhattisgarh, and we are committed to ensuring that all necessary assistance is provided to secure justice for the arrested nuns. While Chhattisgarh, being a tribal state, has an anti-conversion law in place, we are convinced that the allegations of conversion against the Malayali nuns are not true. We have been in constant touch with the state government since the issue first came to light. The BJP is determined to stand by the nuns until they are released and justice is delivered.' He added that the parties like the Congress were trying to exploit the matter for their 'opportunistic politics'. The Kerala BJP went into a damage control exercise after the Congress, which has seemed to be losing traction among its Christian support base in the state, raked up nuns' arrest to 'expose dual face' of the BJP. State Congress leaders sought to project the BJP as 'a party that jails Christian clergy in North India while visiting Christian homes in Kerala on Christmas and Easter'. What has worried the BJP is the strong stand taken by Kerala's Churches, especially the Catholic Church, against the Chhattisgarh police's action against the two nuns, who belong to the politically, numerically and socially powerful Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. In Thrissur, many Catholics took to the streets Tuesday in protest against the nuns' arrest. The BJP had registered its first-ever Lok Sabha win from Kerala when actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi won the Thrissur seat in the 2024 elections. Besides, in the recent organisational revamp, the party inducted several Christian faces in its leadership at the state and district levels. However, the Kerala BJP's stance towards the nuns' arrest has not gone down well with other Sangh Parivar outfits. Prominent RSS leader and state president of Hindu Aikya Vedi, an umbrella organisation of pro-Sangh groups, R V Babu, in a Facebook post, said, 'The activities of Christian missionaries in North and Northeastern states are different. Massive conversion has been going on in those places focusing on Hindus. Why is the Church not going to Muslim areas with evangelisation activities? Have these missionaries taken any oath that they will serve only Hindus.' Former Vedi general secretary Bhargava Ram, in his Facebook post, said, 'There should not be any compromise towards conversion', adding that 'Let the Christian missionaries try to rectify the backwardness of their own community. Attempts by the Christian community, which is worried over love jihad, to insult Bajrang Dal on the ground that it opposes conversion should be resisted.' Several other social media handles associated with various Sangh Parivar outfits in Kerala have also come out to question the Christian missionary works in North India. Some of them have also taken exception to the Kerala BJP chief 'meddling' in the Chhattisgarh row.
India Today
a day ago
- Politics
- India Today
No trafficking or conversion: Kerala BJP backs nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh
The Kerala unit of the BJP has come out in support of the Malayali nuns who were arrested in Chhattisgarh, asserting that the incident was neither a case of religious conversion nor human trafficking, but a misunderstanding caused by technical state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, addressing the media and posting on social media platform X, said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and received complete clarity on the case. 'I have 100 per cent belief that it's a misunderstanding and a case of miscommunication,' Chandrasekhar said. He added that while the case was initially treated as human trafficking, the situation appears to be a lapse in registration under the Private Placement Agencies Regulation I understand is that they have not registered on the required portal. But it is certainly not a case of trafficking or religious conversion,' he clarified. This statement comes shortly after Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai defended the arrests, citing the state's anti-conversion law, which is in place due to its significant tribal Chandrasekhar also said the Kerala BJP has taken proactive steps, with State General Secretary Anoop Antony already in Chhattisgarh to offer legal and logistical support to the arrested nuns. 'We are committed to ensuring that all necessary assistance is provided to secure justice for the nuns under arrest. The BJP will stand by the nuns until they are released and justice is delivered,' he said.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Kerala
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Nuns arrest: Kerala BJP leader meets Chhattisgarh Dy CM, says things will be clear soon
Raipur/Thiruvananthapuram: Days after the Chhattisgarh Police arrested three persons, including two nuns, on charges of trafficking and forcibly converting three tribal women, Kerala BJP General Secretary Anoop Antony on Tuesday met Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma over the issue. After the meeting, Antony said he had a fruitful meeting with Dy CM Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio. 'It should be clearly understood that the Anti-Conversion Law in Chhattisgarh is very strict, which became law when the Congress ruled the state,' said Antony. 'A lot of misinformation about this incident is being propagated. It would be nice if people tried to understand the correct picture in Chhattisgarh. It should be understood that there are very areas where tribals reside. Also, there are places where the presence of Maoists is very strong,' said Antony. 'At the meeting, Sharma has promised all help. They have sought legal advice, and the law will take its course. What the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh said was based on the FIR. A detailed probe will be there,' added Antony, who further pointed out that three Chhattisgarh women hail from the area where Maoists have had a foothold, and where even the land records do not exist. The nuns, Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, attached to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, a congregation under the Syro-Malabar Church in Alappuzha district, were working at a hospital in Agra. On Saturday, the two nuns and the man, identified as Sukhman Mandavi, were accompanying the three women from Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district to Agra, Uttar Pradesh, where they had been offered jobs as kitchen helpers at a Convent. While they were waiting at the Chhattisgarh railway station, they were stopped by Bajrang Dal activists, and the police also arrived on the scene. Both the nuns and the man were taken into custody and later produced before a local court, which sent them to judicial custody. Soon this became a big issue in Kerala, and on Tuesday, a three-member team of Kerala Lok Sabha members -- Benny Behanan, N.K. Premachandran and Francis George reached Chhattisgarh. 'We are going to the jail where the nuns are put up. We will also meet with officials to find out everything,' said Behanan. Premachandran said all that has happened is with the knowledge of the state administration, while George said it's surprising that baseless charges of human trafficking and conversion are being spread. Father Sabu Joseph, attached to the Raipur diocese, said, "Let the authorities find out what these sisters are doing there. Anyone knowing a nun's job will understand what they have done and what they are doing.' Meanwhile, the Church leaders are contemplating to move a bail plea for the two arrested nuns.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Duronto Express to get 3 more coaches: Rajeev Chandrasekhar
Synopsis Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar announced that the Centre has approved the addition of three sleeper coaches to the Hazrat Nizamuddin-Ernakulam Duronto Express, fulfilling a long-pending demand. This addition, effective from August 2, will increase ticket availability and ease travel for numerous passengers on this busy route. The train will now operate with 22 modern coaches.
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘A giant of Kerala Communist movement': Condolences pour in as VS Achuthanandan dies at 101
Founding member of the CPI(M) and former Kerala chief minister Velikkakathu Sankaran Achuthanandan died at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. Popularly known as Comrade VS or just VS, Achuthanandan was 101 years old. Political leaders across party lines reacted to his death and shared their condolences. Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, in a post from the official X handle, wrote, 'Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Shri VS Achuthanandan, veteran leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala. A true grassroot level leader who remained steadfast in his ideals. His contributions to society and the State's politics will always be remembered.' Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of Shri V.S. Achuthanandan, veteran leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala. A true grassroot level leader who remained steadfast in his ideals. His contributions to society and the State's politics will always be remembered. — Kerala Governor (@KeralaGovernor) July 21, 2025 Senior Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shahi Tharoor also took to X and wrote, 'Mourning the passing of former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan…A giant of Kerala's Communist movement, 'VS' rose from humble origins to become a hugely popular mass leader and Chief Minister 2006-11, where he earned the respect of all. He will be mourned by millions of his devoted followers. Om Shanti!' Tharoor also shared a 2008 photograph of Achuthanandan releasing the Congress MP's book 'The Elephant, the Tiger & the Cellphone' in Kerala. Mourning the passing of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan (here, releasing my book 'The Elephant, the Tiger & the Cellphone' in Kerala, 2008). A giant of Kerala's Communist movement, 'VS' rose from humble origins to become a hugely popular mass leader and Chief Minister… — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 21, 2025 K Sunderan, the former state president of Kerala BJP said Achuthanandan's death 'marks the end of an era in Kerala politics'. He added, 'His commitment to public life and fearless stance on many issues earned him respect across party lines.' Kavitha Kalvakuntla, BRS MLC of Kamareddy and Nizamabad, Telangana said, 'His (Achuthanandan's) unwavering commitment to public service will be remembered forever.' She added, 'Saddened by the demise of former Kerala Chief Minister and veteran Communist leader VS Achuthanandan garu… My heartfelt condolences to his family and followers.'
