UDF MPs held a strong protest outside Parliament on Monday against the shocking arrest and harassment of Catholic nuns in Durg in Chhattisgarh. (Source: X/@kcvenugopalmp)The arrest of three people – including two nuns – in Chhattisgarh on conversion allegations has snowballed into a political row, with Opposition Congress calling it “systematic persecution of minorities”.The arrested people have been identified as nuns Preeti Marry and Vandana Francis, and another person, Sukaman Mandavi. An FIR was registered on the back of a complaint from a local Bajrang Dal worker who alleged the suspects had “forcibly converted” three women from Narayanpur district and were attempting to traffic them.“An FIR has been registered against them under relevant sections of the Chhattisgarh Religious Freedom Act and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act,” a GRP official said, adding that when questioned, the victims had alleged that they had been promised jobs and were being taken to Agra, and that one of the suspects had brought them to Durg station.The arrests have drawn a backlash, with Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi claiming that the nuns were being “being targeted for their faith”.“It reflects a dangerous pattern: systematic persecution of minorities under this regime,” he said on X, calling it the “RSS-BJP mob rule”.“UDF MPs protested in Parliament today. We will not be silent. Religious freedom is a constitutional right. We demand their immediate release and accountability for this injustice.”All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal also made similar allegations.Story continues below this ad“UDF MPs held a strong protest outside Parliament today against the shocking arrest and harassment of Catholic nuns in Durg in Chhattisgarh. They were targeted by a violent mob despite no wrongdoing. By the BJP-RSS ecosystem, all minorities are treated as criminals and lumpen elements are unleashed to intimidate fellow citizens practising their faith. This jugalbandi between Bajrang Dal goons and the police in Chhattisgarh shows the BJP’s real intent towards religious minorities,” he said, adding: “We demand their immediate release and justice for the innocent nuns”.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:ChhattisgarhConversion