❗ NEWS REPORT ❗ Two Nuns Jailed in Chhattisgarh

❗ NEWS REPORT ❗

Two Nuns Jailed in Chhattisgarh: Allegations of Human Trafficking Stir Outrage Amid Claims of Targeted Persecution
Source: “Arun Pannalal - Chhattisgarh Christian Forum” 

(Image credits: India Today)

(Video source link: https://youtu.be/dDGT2qTnakc?si=RCBqtOUCyFt4ty7G )

Raipur, Chhattisgarh | August 1, 2025 —
Tensions continue to escalate in Chhattisgarh’s Wipur district following the arrest of two nuns on charges of human trafficking. The state police detained the women at the Durg Railway Station while they were escorting three adolescent girls and one boy to a Christian mission hospital in Agra, where the youth were reportedly offered employment and future training opportunities.

According to Arun Pannalal, President of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum, the allegations are baseless and form part of a broader pattern of religious persecution against Christians in the state. In a statement shared in a YouTube video, Pannalal claimed that the girls’ parents had consented to the employment arrangement, and all involved were legally adults.

The two nuns, one a registered nurse and the other a pharmacist, were working at the Agra Mission Hospital and had been seeking kitchen staff. Upon recommendation from a local diocese in Naranpur, they engaged the young women and provided formal employment offers that included ₹10,000 monthly pay along with lodging and food.

However, while waiting for their train at the Durg station, the group was allegedly harassed by a local youth. When the nuns attempted to seek help—possibly from a TTE or a police officer—they were reportedly swarmed by a group identified as Bajrang Dal activists, who vandalized the scene and verbally and physically assaulted the nuns and accompanying youth.

The situation worsened when Joti Sharma, a woman previously accused in multiple unaddressed cases of violence against Christians, entered the police outpost at the railway station and allegedly assaulted the girls and attempted to strike the nuns. Despite prior FIRs filed against her, Sharma has not been arrested to date, claims Pannalal.

Previous Allegations Against Joti Sharma

Pannalal presented documentary evidence of Sharma's past offenses, including a 2021 incident involving the assault of a pastor on the streets, and a 2022 axe attack on a female pastor, Rukmani Sanwani, at a small church in BMY Charoda. In both cases, Sharma was named in the FIRs, but she remains at large. Police submissions to the Chhattisgarh High Court claimed she was “absconding,” despite her continued public appearances and confrontations.

Arrest Sparks National Concern

The arrest of the nuns triggered a significant backlash. Four Members of Parliament from Delhi visited the state to assess the situation. Many Christian leaders and civil society members argue that the invocation of human trafficking charges is a deliberate misrepresentation of the facts, aimed at maligning Christian institutions.

“This is an arbitrary and shameful allegation,” said Pannalal pointing out that human trafficking, by legal definition, involves coercion for sexual exploitation. “Our nuns are saints to us. They dedicate their lives for the service of others without any personal gain. To associate them with prostitution is unacceptable.”

He also accused the SHO at the railway police outpost of failing to protect the accused while in custody, violating legal norms and exposing them to mob violence inside the police premises.

Political Fallout and Demands

Pannalal criticized statements made by the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and Home Minister, who allegedly declared the nuns guilty before a proper investigation had been completed. He called such statements a “grave abrogation of justice” and a misuse of political power to influence ongoing investigations.

“We still hope for peace, but if these injustices continue, we will not remain silent,” Pannalal declared, urging the Chief Minister to issue a clarification and asking for the Home Minister’s resignation if accountability is not ensured.

He further alleged a breakdown of law and order, claiming that Christians in rural areas are living under constant threat—facing water blockades, church vandalism, and grave desecrations. “This is not democracy. This is not what our Constitution or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stands for,” he said.

Community Response

Church groups and civil society organizations are planning peaceful protests and legal challenges to address what they describe as systemic targeting of the Christian community in the state. The case has drawn national and international attention, with many human rights observers watching closely.

The Christian Forum has pledged to pursue legal recourse and demand a transparent, independent investigation into both the wrongful arrest of the nuns and the inaction against individuals like Joti Sharma.

Conclusion

As the case unfolds, Chhattisgarh finds itself at the center of a growing debate on religious freedom, law enforcement bias, and communal harmony in India. The call from Arun Pandal and Christian leaders is clear: justice, protection of the innocent, and restoration of peace.

Editor’s Note:
This article is based on a transcript from a YouTube video published by Arun Pannalal, President of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum,  All allegations mentioned are based on the speaker's claims and are subject to legal review and verification.

Reported by:

Joshua Thangaraj Gnanasekar

Editor- Pilgrim Echoes