Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Saib accused of openly endorsing Bajrang Dal vigilantes instead of taking action against them
NEW DELHI/RAIPUR – The political temperature in Chhattisgarh soared on Monday as senior Congress leaders lashed out at the BJP-led government over the alleged harassment and illegal detention of two Christian nuns and others by Hindutva groups at Durg railway station on July 25.
Two Catholic nuns — Sister Vandanha and Sister Preethi — were reportedly detained by local police following pressure from Bajrang Dal members who accused them of religious conversion and child trafficking. However, no evidence supporting the allegations has emerged, and the women were released after several hours of questioning.
Reacting sharply, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal condemned the state Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, accusing him of openly endorsing Bajrang Dal vigilantes instead of taking action against them.
“If anyone had any doubts — it is not the ‘fringe’ but a BJP CM himself spewing hatred against minorities,” Venugopal posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Instead of arresting the Bajrang Dal goons, the Chhattisgarh CM is endorsing them and insulting the innocent nuns who were carrying out social work among the poor.”
He warned that the BJP’s real agenda is now plain to see: “Wolves in sheep’s clothing — pretending to be inclusive, while vilifying and targeting minorities in reality.”
“This is a warning for every single community that has been given false assurances of support and welfare by the BJP — they will come after you and everyone that does not fit their agenda of hate,” he added.
His remarks were echoed by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress General Secretary, who termed the incident a “grave attack on minority rights” and decried what she described as the increasing normalisation of communal vigilantism under BJP rule.
“I strongly condemn the shocking incident at Durg Railway Station… The detention of two Christian nuns—Sister Vandanha and Sister Preethi—without legal basis and on false allegations of conversion and trafficking is a grave attack on minority rights,” she said in a social media post.
She stressed that this was not an isolated case, warning that minorities across the country were being “systematically harassed and vilified.”
“Mob justice and communal targeting have no place in our democracy. The rule of law must prevail,” Priyanka Gandhi added.
What Happened in Durg?
According to local accounts, the two nuns, accompanied by a few minors from a church-run hostel, were intercepted by Bajrang Dal members at the Durg railway station while they were out to attend a social program. The activists accused them of “forced conversions” and alleged they were transporting tribal minors for proselytisation.
The police detained the nuns and others for over six hours, despite no formal charges against them. Videos of the incident show Bajrang Dal members heckling and shouting slogans while police stood by.
Christian groups have decried the episode as another example of rising religious intolerance in BJP-ruled states.
Pattern of Harassment
This incident is the latest in a series of similar episodes across India where Christian clergy, pastors, or social workers have been harassed under flimsy or unsubstantiated charges, often under the guise of anti-conversion laws.
Human rights organisations say the laws are routinely weaponised against minority communities, particularly Christians and Muslims, to harass and intimidate them.
Last year, a similar mob detained Catholic nuns in Uttar Pradesh under “conversion” charges, even though no formal complaint was ever lodged. In Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka, several pastors have been arrested or assaulted by Hindutva groups.
Growing Communal Polarisation
Since the BJP came to power in Chhattisgarh in 2023, there have been increasing reports of anti-Christian violence and social boycotts, particularly in tribal regions like Bastar and Surguja. Human rights groups have documented attacks on churches, denial of burial rights, and targeted harassment of Christian families.
Chief Minister Sai, who hails from a tribal background and is seen as a close ally of the RSS, has often been accused of soft-pedalling on Hindu vigilantism.
Despite the outcry, the state government has not issued any statement condemning the Bajrang Dal’s actions at Durg station, nor has it announced any inquiry into police inaction.
Calls for Accountability
The Congress party has demanded strict action against the Bajrang Dal members involved in the harassment and a public apology from the chief minister.
“This is not just about two women — it’s about the safety and dignity of every Indian citizen, regardless of their faith,” said Chhattisgarh Congress leader Charan Das Mahant.
Christian organisations have also written to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), seeking urgent intervention and protection for social workers belonging to minority communities.
Despite the uproar, there has been no response from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs or Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue. Critics say this silence only emboldens communal elements and further endangers the secular fabric of the country.
