NEW DELHI: Kerala MPs on Monday demanded urgent intervention by the Union government in the Lok Sabha to secure the release of Malayali nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, K.C. Venugopal, Kodikunnil Suresh, Hibi Eden, and Francis George alleged that the Chhattisgarh government was taking a stand favourable to the Bajrang Dal.

K.C. Venugopal accused the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister of endorsing mob narratives driven by a hate agenda, rather than upholding the Constitution. “While the Prime Minister and the Kerala BJP loudly proclaim their affection for Christians, incidents like this prove there is deep-seated hatred toward minorities in their hearts,” he said.

Kodikunnil Suresh termed the arrests unconstitutional and a grave assault on religious freedom and minority rights. Hibi Eden alleged that the nuns were arrested and unjustly jailed to settle political scores. Francis George of the Kerala Congress said that handing over the case against the nuns to the NIA (National Investigation Agency) was a serious move.