By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 4: Members of the Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) and the Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress (MPMC) held a peaceful protest at Don Bosco Square, Laitumkhrah, on Monday to condemn the recent arrest of two Catholic nuns from Kerala—Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis—in Chhattisgarh, as well as the ongoing attacks on Christians across the country.
Speaking at the protest, MPYC vice president Banphira Basaiawmoit accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of enabling Hindu fundamentalist groups to target, harass, and instil fear among religious minorities.
“In our state, we are still free to follow and preach any religion. But at the Centre, we are being ruled by a saffron party that harbours hatred toward religious minorities. The question is, how long will we be able to freely practice our faith, considering the current situation across the country?” Basaiawmoit said.
He clarified that the protest organised by Congress was not meant to provoke or create division, but to strongly oppose the rising attacks on the Christian community.
“Our fight is not about taking sides. As a party, we believe in and respect all faiths and religions. However, we will continue to strongly condemn any incidents of harassment or violence against religious minorities,” Basaiawmoit said.
MPCC general secretary Manuel Badwar stated that the divisive politics being practised by the BJP is unhealthy for the nation and is aimed solely at electoral gains.
“This trend, building over the last 11 to 12 years, sets a dangerous precedent. It spreads fear, especially among minority communities. The protest called by the Youth Congress and Mahila Congress in Shillong is not just about a single incident; it reflects a larger concern over growing intolerance,” he said.
The two nuns, who serve at Fatima Hospital in Agra, were accompanying three girls from Chhattisgarh to Agra when they were stopped by a TTE.
The girls reportedly admitted to not possessing valid travel tickets and said they were travelling at the nuns’ request. The TTE alerted local activists, who then alleged that the nuns were attempting to take the girls for forced religious conversion.
The allegation sparked a protest, and the Chhattisgarh police detained both the nuns and the girls based on the activists’ complaint on July 26. A case was lodged against the nuns under serious legal sections.
Following a nationwide outcry, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma wrote to his Chhattisgarh counterpart, Vishnu Deo Sai, to consider the revocation of the criminal case filed against the two nuns.
The two nuns were released from Durg Central Jail in Chhattisgarh on August 2, after a court granted them bail, holding that the case was based on “mere suspicion”.