A Madhya Pradesh court upholds proceedings against a Catholic nun accused of forced conversion under India’s strict anti-conversion laws.
Newsroom (16/03/2026 Gaudium Press) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has refused to dismiss a criminal case against a Catholic nun accused of unlawful religious conversion, reinforcing the contentious debates surrounding India’s anti-conversion laws.
In a decision issued on March 9 and made public on March 14, Justice Vinay Saraf of the Jabalpur bench said the case against Sister Bhagya, a member of the Sisters of the Destitute congregation, is “not fit for quashing.” The ruling directs that criminal proceedings should continue against the nun, who previously served as principal of the Sacred Heart Convent High School in Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district.
“The allegations are sufficient to put the petitioner on trial,” the court stated, setting in motion a legal process that could become a new flashpoint in the state’s discussion over religious freedom.
From School Dispute to Criminal Accusation
The case dates back to early 2021 after a complaint by Ruby Singh, a former teacher at the school whose service was terminated in 2020. School authorities said Singh was dismissed due to consistent concerns about teaching performance. Singh, however, alleged the real reason was her refusal to convert from Hinduism to Christianity under pressure from the principal.
Her complaint alleged violations of Madhya Pradesh’s Freedom of Religion Act, one of India’s most stringent anti-conversion statutes, which criminalizes conversions obtained through “force, allurement, or fraudulent means.”
Sister Bhagya has consistently denied the accusation, describing it as “fabricated” and motivated by resentment over a legitimate dismissal.
A Wider Pattern of Allegations
The ruling sparked disappointment among Church leaders and rights advocates who say the state’s anti-conversion laws are frequently used to target religious minorities.
“Sister Bhagya is innocent. This order does not mean she is guilty,” a Catholic priest monitoring the case told UCA News on March 16, requesting anonymity. “The case is based on a false statement, and the investigation found no substantial evidence.”
Sister Smitha Vembilly, provincial of the Sisters of the Destitute in New Delhi, said the congregation plans to continue its legal fight. “We can now either appeal to the Supreme Court or proceed to trial to prove her innocence,” she told UCA News.
Legal Context and Rising Tensions
Madhya Pradesh is among 12 Indian states with anti-conversion laws, enacted to prevent coercive religious conversions but criticized for being vaguely worded and prone to misuse.
Christian leaders allege that right-wing Hindu groups have used such laws to harass priests, nuns, and educators engaged in social work among marginalized communities. Many of these states, including Madhya Pradesh, are governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which promotes a Hindu nationalist agenda.
Though India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, its interpretation remains a legal and political battleground. Among Madhya Pradesh’s estimated 72 million residents, around 80 percent are Hindu, while Christians form less than one percent.
For now, the case against Sister Bhagya proceeds — a single file in a growing stack of legal battles testing the line between faith, freedom, and the law.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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