A controversy has erupted in Chhattisgarh after two Kerala-based nuns and a local resident were arrested on July 25 at Durg Railway Station over allegations of forced religious conversion and human trafficking. However, one of the three girls they were accompanying has spoken out, claiming she travelled willingly and was assaulted and coerced by Bajrang Dal members.
The nuns — Preeti Mary and Vandana Francis — were arrested alongside Sukaman Mandavi following a complaint by a local Bajrang Dal functionary. The complaint alleged that the trio was trafficking tribal girls from Narayanpur district for the purpose of religious conversion.
The girl, who has studied till Class 10, categorically denied the allegations. She stated that she was travelling to Agra for employment as a cook with a promised salary of Rs 10,000 per month. “We three (girls) were travelling together. Sukhman bhaiya was dropping us to Durg because we didn’t know the way,” she said.
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The girl further alleged that Bajrang Dal members assaulted Sukaman Mandavi and herself, pressuring her to give a false statement. “They slapped me twice and abused us,” she claimed, adding that she was told to say she was being taken against her will or else her brother would be harmed.
She also shared that she has been following Christianity for five to six years, and her family had voluntarily embraced the faith. “When we took my mother to Jesus Christ, she was cured in a single day,” she said, defending the accused and urging authorities to release them.
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Her mother supported her version, stating they had sent their daughter willingly so she could be financially independent and that she was not informed about the events at the railway station.
Meanwhile, Jyoti Sharma, associated with a Hindutva organisation, insisted she had recordings of the girls claiming they were being taken forcibly. “This shows that religious conversion and trafficking are happening in Chhattisgarh,” she said.
Ravi Nigam, Bajrang Dal’s Durg division convenor, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “Even after the BJP government has come to power, the issue of religious conversion has not stopped. In fact, it is increasing.”
The arrest has sparked political unrest, with Members of Parliament holding demonstrations for the release of the nuns. However, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai maintained that the arrests were based on an investigation and alleged the girls were promised nursing training and jobs as part of a conversion and trafficking scheme.
