Hyderabad Christians Rally for Justice Following Arrest of Nuns in Chhattisgarh

Hyderabad, August 1, 2025: Hundreds of Christians from Hyderabad and Shamshabad staged a peaceful demonstration on July 30, demanding justice for two Catholic nuns and a tribal youth arrested last week in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and religious conversion.

The rally, organised by the All United Christian Community of Hyderabad, began at the St. Francis School Gate in Secunderabad and concluded at the Mother Teresa Statue. The protest was triggered by the July 25 arrests of Sister Preeti Mary (45) and Sister Vandana Francis (50), members of a Kerala-based Catholic congregation, along with Sukaman Mandavi (19), a tribal youth from Narayanpur district. The three were detained at Durg railway station following a complaint filed by a Bajrang Dal worker.

Authorities claimed that the accused were attempting to convert three tribal girls under the pretext of offering them nursing jobs. However, the families of the girls have strongly refuted these allegations, asserting that the girls went willingly and were not coerced. The incident has sparked widespread criticism, with activists and Church leaders decrying what they see as a misuse of anti-conversion laws to target minorities and missionary work.

The Hyderabad protest drew a significant turnout, including clergy and lay leaders such as Most Rev. Mar Prince Antony Panengaden, Bishop of Shamshabad; Rev. Fr. Raju Alex, Deputy Secretary of the Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Council (TCBC); Rev. Fr. Victor Emmanuel, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad; Mr. Deepak John, a prominent lay leader; Rev. Fr. Stany SJ, Jesuit priest and human rights advocate; Sr. Alphonsa; and Sr. Jessy Kurian.

Also present were numerous priests from the Archdiocese of Hyderabad and the Diocese of Shamshabad, along with many religious sisters, brothers, and lay faithful. Holding placards and chanting prayers, participants voiced a strong message: “Faith is not a crime.”

Speaking at the event, Church leaders called on the government to conduct a fair and impartial investigation and to ensure the protection of those working in marginalized communities. They also appealed for safeguards against the political misuse of laws targeting religious minorities.

“This rally is a prayerful cry for justice,” said one participant. “It’s not just about three individuals—it’s about the dignity and freedom of our entire community.”

The rally concluded peacefully with renewed calls for unity, constitutional protection, and the upholding of religious freedom in India.

Hyderabad Christians Rally for Justice Following Arrest of Nuns in Chhattisgarh

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