Mary and Francis, both members of the Assisi Sisters of Mary Immaculate, were taken into custody at Durg railway station by the Government Railway Police. They had been accompanying three young women and one young tribal man from Narayanpur to Agra in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

The women, aged 19 to 22, were reported to be traveling for employment opportunities in Agra. Authorities, however, accused the sisters of involvement in human trafficking and coercive religious conversion — charges that Christian leaders say are unfounded and politically motivated.

The arrests triggered an outpouring of support and sparked demonstrations around the country. Christian organizations and human rights groups voiced outrage over what they called an example of state harassment against religious minorities.

Public Response and Legal Proceedings Fuel Tensions

On August 2, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) issued a statement welcoming the court’s decision to grant bail to the sisters, calling it a source of "hope to the Christian community across the country." Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, president of the CBCI, expressed thanks for the support received in securing their release.

“We are grateful to the government for the support shown in this case,” Thazhath noted, while also urging officials to strengthen protections for religious minorities within what he called a "secular democracy."

The case took a controversial turn when the CBCI revealed that the young adults traveling with the nuns had submitted written parental consent to undertake the journey. All of them were over 18 years old, and the bishops claimed that officers had ignored this documentation during the arrest.

Allegations of Harassment and Due Process Violations

The CBCI condemned the arrest as a violation of constitutional rights and cited reports that the nuns were physically assaulted while in custody. They labeled the accusations as false and the case as fabricated, emphasizing the injustice of the arrest process.

Sister M. Nirmalini, head of the women’s wing of the Conference of Religious India, expressed shock at the treatment of the nuns. She described the charges as "absolutely shocking and sad," alleging that neither proper investigations nor fact-checking preceded the arrests.

In comments following their release, Sister Nirmalini said some religious congregations are now advising members not to wear their traditional habits in public to reduce the risk of harassment. “It’s painful that sisters must hide their identity to feel safe,” she added.

Growing Criticism of Political Interference

Reports indicated that pressure from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may have contributed to delays in releasing the nuns after bail was initially granted. Christian leaders and observers note an increasing number of similar cases targeting faith-based workers.

Several critics have pointed to a broader pattern of intimidation, especially in tribal and rural regions, where Christian minorities are more vulnerable to discrimination. The CBCI has called on governing authorities to enact more stringent measures against these types of abuses.

“We urge policymakers to take concrete steps against rising threats to religious communities,” the bishops said in their written statement. They praised the solidarity shown by Christians and others who stood by the detained sisters during their ordeal.

An Ongoing Struggle for Religious Liberty

As the case continues to develop, activists and Church officials view it as part of a larger debate about religious freedom in India. Critics of the arrests warn that false accusations like these could deter others from engaging in legitimate social work.

Though the nuns are now free on bail, the charges against them have not yet been dismissed. Legal and ecclesiastical communities continue to watch closely how the case progresses through the courts.

The CBCI remains adamant that justice must ultimately include an apology and full exoneration. “This is not just about two sisters,” Archbishop Thazhath said, “but about the dignity and rights of every citizen in our country, regardless of faith.”