Jesus foresaw the opposition, harassment, and even persecution that his followers would face in the future. Therefore, he instructed them with a clear strategy for their mission: "Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." His advice, found in Matthew 10:16, remains profoundly relevant today—especially for Christians living in the socio-political context of India, particularly in states governed by the BJP.

In recent years, harassment of nuns by right-wing Hindutva groups—particularly when they are accompanying young girls during train or bus journeys—has become increasingly common. Alarmingly, the police, instead of protecting the victims, often remain indifferent or, worse, side with the vigilante groups taking the law into their own hands. One such incident received national attention in the first week of June.

On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, The Telegraph (published from Kolkata) featured a front-page headline: "Train bullies target nun in Odisha: 18-hour cop ordeal after false charges by Bajrang Dal hecklers." According to the report, Sister Rachana Nayak, a 29-year-old nun belonging to the Holy Family Congregation, was travelling with four girls and her younger brother on the Rajya Rani Express from Berhampur to Jharsuguda. On the evening of Saturday, May 31, while still on board, she was accosted by suspected Bajrang Dal activists who accused her of religious conversion and human trafficking.

At Khurda Junction, around 30 individuals gathered, verbally abused the nun and the girls, and forced them off the train. The Railway Protection Force intervened and took the group to the local police station, where they were detained for 18 hours. Despite repeatedly stating that they were Christians and denying any involvement in religious conversions or trafficking, their pleas fell on deaf ears.

Their release was secured only through the intervention of three human rights lawyers—Sujata Jena, Clara D'Souza, and Sebati Soren. During the investigation, it was confirmed that all individuals, except for one 17-year-old girl, were adults. With police protection, the nun and the girls were eventually escorted back to their respective places.

This is not an isolated case. Similar incidents, where nuns travelling with girls are harassed and traumatised by right-wing groups, have occurred repeatedly. These events constitute grave violations of the fundamental rights guaranteed to every Indian citizen: the right to freedom of movement, the right to freedom of religion, and the right to live with dignity.

Regrettably, the Church leadership has not taken significant steps to publicly protest such violations. The Church could have appealed to key authorities such as the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs (a Catholic from Kerala), and Christian Members of Parliament. A press conference could have been convened to bring the harassment of Christians by Hindutva groups to national attention.

In the past, Kerala bishops have even appealed to Christian MPs to support the Waqf Bill during a parliamentary vote—demonstrating the potential influence they could wield. Nuns play a crucial role in the mission of the Church, especially in healthcare, education, and social services. Without them, many Church-run services would be severely affected. Yet, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has not formally voiced protest against the violation of the fundamental rights of its most dedicated members.

In collaboration with the Conference of Religious of India (CRI), the CBCI should formulate a comprehensive strategy to respond to the hostile environment being fostered by Hindutva groups, often with overt or covert backing from BJP-led governments.

Notably, many incidents of harassment occur when nuns are in their religious habits. To avoid such situations, it may be advisable for nuns to wear lay clothing while travelling—an approach already adopted by most male religious and diocesan clergy. Following the Second Vatican Council's emphasis on adaptation and inculturation, many women's congregations in India transitioned to Indian attire to reflect cultural integration and avoid appearing foreign.

However, in recent years, some congregations have reverted to traditional religious habits, citing reasons such as gaining respect from the public or attracting vocations. These justifications appear simplistic, especially given the current climate of religious intolerance and discrimination, particularly in BJP-ruled states.

Given the rise in harassment, the CBCI and CRI should jointly develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the recruitment, training, and travel of minors under 18 years of age. These SOPs could be tailored regionally, with separate versions for South India and other parts of the country, to reflect varying contexts. Following standardised procedures can help minimise the risk of attacks by antisocial elements.

Hindutva organisations are driven by an ideology that labels Muslims and Christians as internal enemies of the Hindu nation. Under the pretext of curbing religious conversions, they may continue to target Christian individuals and institutions. To counter this, the Church needs to establish effective crisis management and crisis prevention mechanisms at both national and regional levels. The swift legal aid extended to Sister Rachana by the three human rights lawyers was instrumental in preventing false charges and potential imprisonment. Inspired by this example, the CBCI and CRI should establish robust support systems to provide immediate legal, psychological, and logistical assistance during such crises.

It is imperative that priests and religious gain awareness of the socio-political transformations reshaping India. The influence of the RSS and its affiliates, especially in BJP-governed states, is formidable. The incident between Berhampur and Khurda Junction is a telling example of the sway held by the Sangh Parivar groups. Even the Railway Protection Force appeared to act under pressure from these groups before the arrival of legal advocates.

Sadly, many religious men and women remain unaware of the political shifts that have taken place over the past eleven years. Hence, political education—including the Indian Constitution and laws relevant to religious institutions—must become a core component of priestly and religious training.

One pressing challenge facing religious life today is the dwindling number of vocations. This has led many congregations to scout distant regions for potential candidates, often leaving existing institutions understaffed while expanding into new territories. Prudence calls for a more focused mission—one that deepens the influence of Gospel values in existing communities rather than seeking geographic expansion for its own sake.

The understanding of religious life must evolve to meet today's challenges. At its core, religious life is a call to radical discipleship—to continue the mission of Jesus in the specific context in which one lives. It is inherently prophetic. Ministries such as education, healthcare, and social services are tools for fulfilling that mission. Central to Jesus' ministry was his solidarity with the marginalised. "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly," he said (John 10:10).

Jesus identified with people in all things except sin. In contrast, the Pharisees of his time separated themselves from the people through dress and behaviour. This raises an important question: why should consecrated individuals wear attire that distinguishes them from the laity and lead a life apart? The true uniform given by Jesus to his disciples is love: "Love one another as I have loved you. By your love, people will know that you are my disciples" (John 15:12).