Summary
- One of the rescued tribal girls has denied trafficking and forced conversion claims, alleging assault by Bajrang Dal members.
- The arrest of two Kerala nuns and a youth in Chhattisgarh has triggered widespread political protests and legal scrutiny.
- Chhattisgarh CM defends action, while opposition questions the legality of arrests and alleged coercion involved in the case.
Rising Storm Over Bajrang Dal Assault Allegations and Arrest of Kerala Nuns
The recent arrest of two Kerala-based nuns in Chhattisgarh has snowballed into a major political and communal controversy, with fresh developments emerging from one of the three tribal girls involved. Her revelations, including claims of being coerced and physically assaulted by Bajrang Dal members, have intensified the firestorm of criticism surrounding the case. The event, centered on alleged forced religious conversion and human trafficking, has exposed deeper tensions between religious freedom, vigilantism, and law enforcement practices in India.
On July 25, at Durg Railway Station, the Government Railway Police (GRP) detained nuns Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis, alongside a youth named Sukhman Mandavi. The arrest followed a complaint from a Bajrang Dal functionary who alleged that the trio was transporting three tribal girls to Agra for religious conversion. However, the incident took a dramatic turn when one of the girls came forward with serious claims of intimidation and assault, shifting the spotlight to the Bajrang Dal assault allegations.
The Bajrang Dal assault allegations have now sparked a political and legal debate across India, with members of Parliament staging protests and demanding justice for the arrested individuals. As public pressure builds, deeper scrutiny is being applied to the role of vigilante outfits and the state’s handling of religious freedom under the pretext of anti-conversion laws.
Chhattisgarh : Two Catholic Malayali nuns, Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethi Mary from Kerala were illegally detained, harassed, and humiliated by Bajrang Dal’s Jyoti Sharma and her team, all in full view of the police.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 28, 2025
Sabka sath Sabka Vikas?pic.twitter.com/EXUOXC4zts
Contesting Narratives Around the Train Station Incident
- The arrested nuns have denied all charges related to forced conversion and trafficking.
- A rescued girl has stated she was travelling of her own will and was physically assaulted by Bajrang Dal activists.
According to testimonies given to NDTV, the girl, who had studied till Class 10, maintained she was headed to Agra to work as a cook for a monthly salary of ₹10,000. She emphasized that her travel was voluntary and endorsed by her family. More importantly, she stated that the Bajrang Dal activists assaulted her and Sukhman Mandavi during the incident, laying the groundwork for serious Bajrang Dal assault allegations.
“They slapped me, abused us, and forced me to say I was being taken against my will,” the girl alleged, noting that a woman named Jyoti Sharma, reportedly affiliated with a Hindutva outfit, pressured her to give a false statement. She further mentioned that her family had embraced Christianity six years ago after her mother recovered from an illness, crediting divine intervention. This context further contradicts claims of recent or forceful conversion.
These revelations have raised troubling questions about the validity of the initial police action and whether it was influenced or driven by external groups rather than due process. The arrest, which was framed as a case of trafficking and illegal conversion, now appears mired in politically loaded Bajrang Dal assault allegations.
Contradictory Claims and Political Fissures
- Bajrang Dal leaders allege growing conversion activities despite a change in state government.
- Victim’s family and local Christian leaders reject trafficking accusations and call the arrest illegal.
Ravi Nigam, Bajrang Dal’s Durg division convenor, accused Christian groups of continuing conversion despite the BJP being in power. “Even after the BJP government has come to power, the issue of religious conversion has not stopped. It is increasing,” he stated, adding that the youth accompanying the girls had “abandoned girls” before—indirectly suggesting a pattern.
In response, the victim’s mother claimed she had not been informed about her daughter’s detention and clarified that the job offer had been planned in advance. She insisted that her daughter’s travel had no link to conversion or trafficking. Several Christian organizations and civil society groups have since demanded an impartial investigation into the Bajrang Dal assault allegations, claiming misuse of power and communal targeting.
Legal experts also point out that India’s anti-conversion laws require demonstrable evidence of coercion, inducement, or fraud. In this case, none of the three girls have independently verified any such claims—casting doubt on the legal basis of the arrest.
Human Rights Concerns and Vigilantism in the Spotlight
- NHRC and NCRB reports have previously raised concerns over attacks on religious minorities.
- Chhattisgarh has seen a rise in communal tensions since 2021, with over 250 FIRs related to religious violence.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has frequently highlighted the growing instances of community-led vigilantism in India. In its 2023 annual report, the NHRC warned that “mob enforcement of ideologies threatens the secular and legal fabric of the country.” The Bajrang Dal assault allegations reflect such a pattern, where non-state actors initiate policing based on ideological motives.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Chhattisgarh registered 263 FIRs under religious conflict and public disorder between 2021 and 2024—a 36% rise from the previous four years. Christian missionary groups have often been targets of accusations, though conviction rates remain abysmally low.
The Chhattisgarh State Minorities Commission had previously requested stronger safeguards for tribal and religious minorities travelling for work or study, citing a 2022 incident in Bastar where Christian schoolteachers were accused of conversion but acquitted due to lack of evidence. These patterns reflect systemic issues that go beyond isolated events and lend weight to the Bajrang Dal assault allegations.
Government’s Position and National Political Repercussions
- CM Vishnudeo Sai defends police action, asserting an ongoing investigation into trafficking and inducement.
- Opposition MPs call for judicial inquiry and release of the nuns and Mandavi.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai has stood by the arrests, stating that the accused were involved in a scheme promising jobs and nursing courses to lure tribal girls into conversion. He maintained that a structured investigation was underway and urged all parties to allow due process.
However, opposition MPs have criticized the government for failing to protect religious freedom. CPI(M) leader John Brittas said, “What happened was not an arrest, but an abduction of justice. The girl clearly stated she was assaulted, and those words must be taken seriously.” Multiple MPs have demanded a judicial probe into the Bajrang Dal assault allegations and a review of the circumstances leading to the arrests.
The All India Catholic Union and United Christian Forum have submitted memorandums to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, pressing for action against Bajrang Dal members and restoration of community confidence in the justice system. Their appeals reference the girl’s statement and request NHRC intervention.
What’s Next: Legal Scrutiny and Social Fallout
- An NHRC-led inquiry may be initiated following civil society petitions.
- The court’s hearing on bail and coercion claims will determine the legal trajectory.
As pressure mounts, legal observers are closely watching whether the judiciary acknowledges the Bajrang Dal assault allegations as sufficient cause to order a probe or dismiss the charges altogether. The accused remain in custody as of August 1, awaiting a court hearing that may decide bail or further judicial custody.
The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), which is representing the family, has submitted an affidavit citing threats and forced confessions. Their submission urges the court to consider the assault claims while reviewing the legality of the arrest.
Meanwhile, grassroots fallout continues to escalate. Christian groups across Kerala and tribal districts of Chhattisgarh are staging protests, framing the case as emblematic of growing intolerance and lawlessness under the guise of anti-conversion laws.
In parallel, calls for defining the role of religious vigilante groups are gaining momentum, with legal activists demanding the registration of FIRs against those who allegedly assaulted the girl—further reinforcing the significance of the Bajrang Dal assault allegations.
Broader Reflections on Religious Freedom and Rule of Law
The unfolding controversy over the Kerala nuns’ arrest and the Bajrang Dal assault allegations touches a raw nerve in India’s democratic fabric. As courts prepare to hear testimonies and human rights bodies weigh intervention, the case may shape the national conversation on vigilantism, tribal rights, and the misuse of anti-conversion laws.
While the Chhattisgarh government insists on its legal mandate, civil society’s concerns over forced statements, coercion, and abuse cannot be brushed aside. The coming weeks will determine whether India’s institutions can navigate this storm with fairness and justice, or whether a chilling precedent will be set for religious minorities seeking to exercise their constitutional freedoms.
