Durg (Chhattisgarh) [India], August 6 (HBTV): A five-member delegation led by Kerala Congress MP Francis George visited Durg Central Jail on Tuesday to meet two Kerala-based Catholic nuns who are under arrest on charges of alleged human trafficking and forcible religious conversion.

The case has sparked concern and strong reactions across Kerala, particularly within the Christian community.

Speaking to the media after the visit, Francis George expressed deep anguish over the arrests. ‘The family members and the whole Christian community in Kerala are very anguished, and they want justice to be done to these two. We have come to see them and seek their protection from the state government. We will ask the authorities to help in solving this case, and the court will give them bail... We are very sure that these two are innocent,’ he said.

He affirmed the delegation’s belief in the nuns’ innocence while clarifying that they do not condone any unlawful activity. ‘We are very sure that these two are innocent... If they have done anything wrong, then we won't ever support them. We do not believe in forcible conversion, human trafficking, or any kind of violation of the law. But this is something that has been fabricated and alleged without any truth,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Kerala Education Minister R Bindu described the case as ‘a reflection of the fascist measures undertaken by RSS and BJP’. She said, ‘The Sangh Parivar exerts its force on the Christian minorities and Muslim minorities in North India... During elections, they visit all Churches with cakes; this is an act which is very superficial.’

On July 27, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) also strongly condemned the alleged incident. According to CBCI, the women had explicit written permission from their parents but were physically assaulted after being arrested.

The CBCI statement read: ‘Such incidents not only threaten the modesty of women but also put their lives in grave danger. These repeated, unwarranted actions are a serious violation of the Constitution and cannot be tolerated.’

(ANI)