New Delhi,

July 31, 2025

Press Release

CPI Condemns Illegal Attack and Harassment of Nuns and Tribal Youth in Durg, Chhattisgarh

The following statement was issued after the press conference at CPI headquarters at Ajoy Bhawan by CPI National Secretariat member Annie Raja and CPI Kerala Assistant Secretary P.P. Suneer, M.P.:

A press conference was held today at Ajoy Bhawan, the National Headquarters of the Communist Party of India (CPI), addressed by CPI National Secretary Annie Raja and CPI Kerala Assistant Secretary and Member of Parliament P. P. Suneer. They addressed the media after visiting Durg, Chhattisgarh, as part of a joint delegation of the CPI, CPI(M), and KC(M), where they met the two Kerala nuns and the tribal youth in jail despite the administration’s repeated attempts to prevent the meeting with the victims of harassment by the RPF and the Bajrang Dal goons. The delegation learned that the nuns were badly abused and tribal youth physically assaulted before being arrested and put in jail on the basis of a false and illegal FIR. The tribal youth and three girls were physically attacked and force to change their statement dictated by Bajrang Dal goons that they are being converted and forcefully taken to other states.

Annie Raja said, "This police action is not only arbitrary but exposes the complicity of the administration with RSS-affiliated vigilantes. It is part of a larger design to institutionalise discrimination against minorities, which is at the core of the RSS agenda. The FIR against the nuns and the Adivasi youth is illegal and must be quashed immediately. Freedom to practice one’s faith is a fundamental right under our Constitution, and the State must ensure protection to minority institutions, including those related to education, health, and religious practices.” She further underlined the BJP’s hypocrisy, stating, "In Kerala, BJP leaders claim to support the nuns’ release, while in Chhattisgarh their own party government has arrested them on false charges in connivance with Bajrang Dal-affiliated vigilantes. This exposes the true face of the BJP."

Addressing the gathering, CPI Kerala Assistant Secretary and Member of Parliament P. P. Suneer said, "The Christian community and missionaries have been doing commendable work in some of the most backward and remote regions of our country, particularly in the sectors of education and health. It is shameful that the BJP continues to target the community and its religious practices. In recent years, numerous churches, schools, and hospitals have been attacked by Sangh Parivar goons, particularly in BJP-ruled states like Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Equal protection to all communities is a Constitutional obligation, which the BJP governments are failing to uphold."

The leaders also recalled that immediately after the incident, CPI leaders Annie Raja and P. Sandosh Kumar, MP, had met Raipur Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur and assured the Party’s full support and solidarity in the face of the denial of constitutional rights and attack on faith. The CPI demanded the immediate release of the two nuns and the Adivasi youth, the quashing of the false FIR lodged against them, and firm action to ensure protection to minority institutions while strong legal action on the illegal activities of vigilante groups operating with impunity in BJP-ruled states. The CPI delegation affirmed that the Party will continue to stand with the struggle of Christian and other minority community to ensure their constitutional rights and raise its voice against such harassment and discrimination, both in Parliament and on the streets.

Sd/-

Roykutty

Office Secretary