Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday urged Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to intervene and withdraw what he described as “shocking and unfounded” charges against two Catholic nuns from Kerala, arrested last week over allegations of forced religious conversion.
In a letter to his Chhattisgarh counterpart, Sangma called the case against Sister Vandana Francis and Sister Preethy Mary “a matter of serious concern,” stating that such accusations not only threaten the freedom and dignity of individuals but also reflect a “worrying pattern of religious targeting.”
The two nuns, who are associated with Fatima Hospital in Agra, were reportedly accompanying three girls from Chhattisgarh to Agra when a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) found the girls without valid tickets.
Local activists, informed by the TTE, alleged that the nuns were involved in forced conversions, sparking protests and resulting in the women’s arrest on July 26.
Taking to his official X handle, Sangma said, “Such baseless accusations not only endanger the lives and freedoms of innocent individuals but also reflect a worrying pattern of religious targeting. Justice must prevail. Intolerance must not.”
Sangma’s letter urged the Chhattisgarh government to ensure a fair investigation, safeguard the rights of religious minorities, and consider revoking the charges against the nuns.
He also noted that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking their intervention in what the organisation called “a case of harassment and false allegations.”
“This is not just a legal issue but a matter of upholding the constitutional values of justice and religious freedom,” Sangma wrote.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among Christian groups and human rights organisations, who argue that cases of alleged forced conversion are increasingly being used to target minority communities, especially in tribal and rural areas.
The Chhattisgarh government has yet to issue an official response to Sangma’s appeal.