Bastar rights group slams women’s commission for failing tribal victims in durg nun case

By A Representative 

The Bastar Adhikar Mukti Morcha has strongly condemned the Chhattisgarh State Women’s Commission for failing to deliver justice to three tribal women who had approached it after their ordeal in the controversial “Durg Nun case.” On July 25, 2025, Nuns Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis, along with Sukaman Mandavi, were arrested at Durg railway station following a complaint by a Bajrang Dal functionary alleging forced conversions and trafficking. The tribal women from Narayanpur district—Sukhmati Mandavi, Kamleshwari Pradhan and Lalita Usendi—later sought intervention from the Women’s Commission, accusing Bajrang Dal members of harassment.

The Morcha alleged that instead of supporting the complainants, the Commission subjected them to victim-blaming, politically motivated questioning and insensitive treatment. According to the statement, the Commission mocked their religious beliefs, asked why they traveled outside Narayanpur for work, and implied they were being paid by the church. It further accused the Commission of affirming unproven allegations of forced conversion and suggesting that the women’s testimonies were scripted. “Such actions left the young women traumatized,” the statement said.

Despite video evidence naming specific individuals accused of abuse, including Jyoti Sharma, Ravi Nigam and Ratan Yadav, the Commission did not ensure the registration of an FIR. Neither has any action been taken against railway police officials allegedly complicit in the incident. The Morcha also charged that the Women’s Commission acted with political bias, undermining its independence and credibility, and protecting the accused rather than vulnerable victims.

“This is a complete misuse of the Commission’s mandate. Instead of upholding justice, it has aligned itself with a political agenda. The institution was created through women’s struggles, and its betrayal of trust is deeply disturbing,” said Navneet Chand, Principal Coordinator of the Bastar Adhikar Mukti Morcha. He demanded immediate corrective action, including filing of FIRs against the accused, punishment of guilty policemen, proper compensation to the victims, and restoration of the Commission’s dignity and impartiality.

The Morcha warned that the handling of the case highlights broader systemic failures in protecting poor and marginalized tribal women, leaving them without institutional recourse or support.