BJP Kerala chief assures early bail for arrested nuns, meets church leaders amid outcry

Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday said that the two Keralite nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh would soon be released on bail, adding that the arrests were the result of a misunderstanding.

Amid public outrage over the arrests, Chandrasekhar held a closed-door meeting with Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) president and Thrissur Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath at the Archdiocese headquarters in Thrissur.

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The meeting, which lasted over 30 minutes, was also attended by Auxiliary Bishop Tony Neelankavil and focused on both legal and humanitarian aspects of the case. According to sources, the primary topic of discussion was the legal course related to the nuns’ bail plea.

Speaking to the media in Thrissur after the meeting, Chandrasekhar said that the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister had assured him that the Chhattisgarh government would not oppose the nuns’ bail applications.

The BJP leader explained that the arrests stemmed from a procedural lapse under Chhattisgarh’s law regulating private placement agencies, which requires young women moving across districts for work to be registered on a government portal.

“This is a judicial process. Let it take its course. This is not a political issue; we are only trying to help the people,” he stated.

Following the meeting, Archbishop Thazhath said the Church hoped the nuns would be granted bail during the day and described the police action as “painful.” He also urged Chandrasekhar to ensure the safety of the Christian community amid growing concerns.

On Thursday, the BJP state chief had also met Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil to update him on the steps being taken for the nuns’ release, including assurances from the Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Friday accused the BJP and the Sangh Parivar of promoting hate and divisive politics for electoral gain.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the family of Sister Vandana Francis at Udayagiri in Kannur, Venugopal questioned the BJP’s delayed efforts to secure the release of the nuns, who have been in custody for eight days.

The two nuns—Preetha Mary and Vandana Francis—belonging to the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate under the Syro-Malabar Church, were arrested at Durg railway station in Chhattisgarh last Friday while accompanying three girls. They have been charged with forced religious conversion and human trafficking.