IMPHAL, Aug 2: The Northeast Catholic Research Forum (NECARF) has strongly condemned the recent harassment and arrest of two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district, calling it a deeply disturbing example of growing intolerance and targeted criminalization of minority communities in India.
The two nuns, who were travelling with companions, were detained over an unverified allegation of human trafficking—an accusation NECARF has dismissed as baseless and politically motivated. The forum described the incident as part of a broader, dangerous pattern aimed at vilifying Christian presence in public life.
“This is not an isolated case,” NECARF stated. “It is a well-rehearsed script driven by hate-filled elements, sanctioned by an authoritarian silence, and backed by a regime determined to dismantle the secular fabric of India.”
In a sharply worded statement issued Friday, the forum alleged that grassroots vigilante groups, emboldened by official apathy, were working in tandem with state machinery to suppress voices of justice and compassion. It further accused law enforcement authorities of complicity in the incident, claiming their actions were “even more outrageous than those of the perpetrators.”
NECARF warned that India is “fast turning into a theocratic surveillance state” where even humanitarian work is criminalized under fabricated charges of conversion. “This incident is not just about two nuns—it is a message to anyone who offers sanctuary or solidarity to the oppressed,” the forum said.
Since January 2025, the forum noted, there have been 378 documented attacks on Christians across the country, but FIRs were registered in only 17 cases—a figure it said reflects systemic neglect and a lack of accountability.
Calling for decisive action, NECARF appealed to the Church leadership to move beyond symbolic gestures and confront the growing threats head-on. It also urged the Government of India and state administrations to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all citizens, regardless of faith.
The forum concluded by urging civil society and “every right-thinking citizen” to speak out against what it described as a calculated erosion of India’s pluralistic identity.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also wrote to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, urging immediate intervention. Sangma described the arrest as a result of “false allegations and pressure from right-wing groups.” He further expressed concern over the imposition of serious legal charges against the nuns and emphasized the need to uphold constitutional values and religious freedom.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene.
