Durg (Chhattisgarh) [India], July 29 : A five-member delegation led by Kerala Congress MP Francis George visited the Durg Central Jail here on Tuesday to meet the two Kerala-based Catholic nuns currently under arrest on charges of alleged human trafficking and forcible religious conversion.
The case has triggered concern and strong reactions across Kerala, particularly within the Christian community.
Addressing the media after the jail visit, George expressed deep anguish over the arrest. "The family members and the whole Christian community in Kerala are very anguished, and they want justice to be done to these two. We have come to see them and seek their protection from the state government. We will ask the authorities to help in solving this case, and the court will give them bail... We are very sure that these two are innocent," George said.
He asserted the delegation's firm belief in the innocence of the nuns, while reiterating their stance against any unlawful activity. "We are very sure that these two are innocent... If they have done anything wrong, then we won't ever support them. We do not believe in forcible conversion, human trafficking, or any kind of violation of the law. But this is something that has been fabricated and alleged without any truth," he added.
Meanwhile, Kerala Education Minister R Bindu says, "This is the reflection of the fascist measures undertaken by RSS and BJP. The Sangh Pariwar exerts its force on the Christian minorities and Muslim minorities in North India...During elections, they visit all Churches with cakes, this is an act which is very superficial"
On July 27, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) also strongly condemned the alleged incident, claiming that, according to reports, the women had explicit written permission from their parents but were physically assaulted after being arrested.
CBCI's statement read, "Such incidents not only threaten the modesty of women but also put their lives in grave danger. These repeated, unwarranted actions are a serious violation of the Constitution and cannot be tolerated."