Chhattisgarh, August 1: The Northeast Catholic Research Forum has issued a strong condemnation of the harassment and arrest of two Catholic nuns and their travel companions in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh on July 27, 2025. The forum stated that the action was based on an unsubstantiated allegation of human trafficking and called it a deliberate attempt to target the Christian community.
According to the forum, the incident is not an isolated one but part of a larger pattern. It described the episode as a “well-rehearsed insidious script” carried out by hate-driven elements and supported by what it termed the “selective silence” of an authoritarian regime that seeks to transform secular India into a Hindu nation.
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The statement asserted that this criminalization of Christian presence in public life is directed especially at those who work for justice and compassion in some of the country’s most marginalized regions. It said the arrests reflect not only the prejudice of Hindutva vigilantes at the grassroots level but also the intentions of a government that is using the law to suppress dissent.
The forum strongly criticized the conduct of law enforcement agencies, accusing them of complicity and stating that their decision to arrest the victims was even more outrageous than the actions of the original perpetrators. It expressed concern that the country is moving toward becoming a theocratic surveillance state, where minority communities are being targeted under fabricated charges. It also warned that humanitarian services are increasingly being criminalized as acts of religious conversion, while the state fails to address the economic and social needs of the poor.
The Northeast Catholic Research Forum said that the arrest of the two nuns is not only a warning to religious minorities but a threat to anyone who dares to extend solidarity, sanctuary, or support to the poor and the dispossessed. It described the incident as a sign that ethical values are being replaced by blind obedience.
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The forum appealed to all citizens to speak out against such actions that harm the pluralistic fabric of the nation. It also called on the Church leadership to move beyond symbolic responses and take a firm stand against injustices affecting all citizens of India. Citing data from January 2025, the forum pointed out that there have been 378 attacks on Christians this year, but only 17 cases have led to the registration of First Information Reports.
It reminded the public that the Christian community has long contributed to building modern India through education, healthcare, and social service, and noted that these contributions have been acknowledged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several occasions.
Meanwhile, according to a report, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Bilaspur has granted bail to the two Catholic nuns who were arrested last week by Chhattisgarh police on allegations of unlawful conversion and human trafficking.
The forum concluded by urging both the Government of India and all state governments to uphold the safety, security, and dignity of every citizen, regardless of their religious or community background.