Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has issued a strong statement regarding the arrest of two nuns, saying the incident involves human trafficking and an attempt to convert three tribal women from Narayanpur. The Chief Minister’s remarks come as the case created political controversy. Chief Minister Sai tweeted, three young women from Narayanpur were allegedly promised nursing training and jobs. A person from Narayanpur then handed them over to two nuns at Durg railway station, who were reportedly taking the women to Fatima Hospital in Agra. “In this, an attempt was being made to convert by human trafficking through temptation,” Chief Minister Sai stated. He further emphasized, “This is a serious matter related to the safety of women.

 

Investigation is still going on in this matter. The case is sub judice and the law will work according to itself.” Reaffirming Chhattisgarh’s commitment to peace and communal harmony, Chief Minister Sai added, “Chhattisgarh is a peace-loving state where people of all religions and communities live in harmony. It is very unfortunate to give a political form to the issue related to the safety of our daughters of Bastar.” The arrests have sparked a major political row, particularly after Rahul Gandhi publicly opposed the police action.

 

The Chhattisgarh Police had arrested the two nuns from Kerala in Durg as they were en route from the station to Agra. Accompanying them were the three women from Narayanpur. The Bajrang Dal has alleged that the women were being pressured for religious conversion. Conversely, the Kerala government has strongly condemned the arrests, asserting that they were wrongful arrested. Kerala authorities maintain that all three women are adults and were traveling with the nuns to commence new jobs. The intervention of the Kerala Chief Minister has reportedly caused significant stir from Delhi to Chhattisgarh, with the Congress party seizing on the issue, pushing the matter into a highly politicized debate.