On July 25, 2025, a significant controversy erupted in Chhattisgarh when Sister Preeti Mary and Sister Vandana Francis—both Catholic nuns from Kerala—along with Sukaman Mandavi, were arrested in connection with alleged religious conversion activities. Their detention under serious charges, including trafficking under Section 143 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and violation of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act, triggered a potent wave of political and social fallout.

The group was detained at Durg railway station following a ticketing issue, but the case swiftly escalated to accusations over conversion and trafficking, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison. The local court remanded the accused for 14 days, with their custody set to expire on August 8, 2025.

Congress Mounts a Strong Defense

Between July 25 and July 29, 2025, the Congress party mounted a vigorous defense for the nuns, framing the arrests as emblematic of minority persecution under the BJP-led administration. Twelve prominent Congress leaders publicly supported the nuns and condemned the act:

• Rahul Gandhi denounced the arrests as “BJP-RSS mob rule” and called it part of a dangerous pattern of minority persecution, demanding immediate release and accountability.
• Priyanka Gandhi described the arrests as a grave attack on minority rights and criticized them as an instance of mob justice and communal targeting.
• AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal blamed the rising attacks on minorities in BJP-ruled states, alleging tacit support for “hate crimes” by the administration.
• Kerala opposition leader V.D. Satheesan decried the “mob trial” and false charges, emphasizing the terror such incidents instill among minority communities.
• Benny Behanan pledged Congress efforts to secure the nuns’ release, while Francis George and Shafi Parambil criticized the government’s ‘double standards’ and supposed ‘erosion of constitutional freedoms’.
• Chhattisgarh’s former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and other Congress officials questioned the denial of access to the detainees, threatening sit-in protests.
• Additional Congress MPs and MLAs visited the families of those arrested, calling the events orchestrated by “right-wing” elements and reporting allegations of mistreatment at the police station.

Political and Social Dynamics

The strong public backing by Congress leaders, paired with coordinated protests in Parliament and in Kerala, sharpened the sociopolitical divide. For supporters, these statements were seen as a defense of constitutional values and minority rights. However, for Hindu society, these actions reinforced long-standing anxieties about mass conversions and the undermining and fracturing of Hindu society.

Impact on Hindu Society

Congress’s vocal defense of the nuns and accusations against BJP rule has become a serious challenge to the enforcement of anti-conversion laws and a disregard for genuine concerns about Hindu demographic changes. The situation intensified polarization, with fears that the party’s stance could embolden further conversion activities, possibly leading to friction between religious groups.

Hindu societal organizations, already sensitive to the issue of religious conversions—especially in tribal and rural areas—have interpreted Congress’s actions as placing minority rights above the protection of indigenous and traditional Hindu practices. This perception is heightened by Congress’s willingness to publicly confront law enforcement actions meant to address local religious tensions. The incident has thus become a flashpoint in the broader national debate around religious freedom, anti-conversion statutes, and the role of political parties in shaping community relations.

In conclusion, the July 2025 Chhattisgarh arrests and the ensuing Congress response have not only become a major political issue but have also reignited debates over religious identity, minority rights, and societal balance. For many within Hindu society, the Congress party’s actions have amplified concerns about the protection of local customs and the resilience of Bharat’s pluralistic fabric—concerns likely to play a significant role in shaping political discourse and community relationships in the months/years ahead.

Source: 12 Incidents: Congress supporting Christian conversion