C. M. Paul
Siliguri, August 9, 2025 — Sister Sujata Jena, a lawyer and member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, has denounced recent allegations of religious conversion by nuns in tribal areas as “unfounded and politically motivated.”
In an interview with Matters India, Sr. Jena, who serves in Odisha, issued a pointed challenge to Church authorities: “If you’re going to insist that we wear habits everywhere, then be ready to defend us when we’re attacked on the streets.”
Her remarks follow a disturbing incident in her state Odhisha which occurred at Khordha Road Railway Station on the night of May 31, when Sister Rachana Nayak of the Holy Family Congregation was detained for nearly 18 hours along with four girls and her younger brother. The group was forcibly removed from the Rourkela Rajarani Express by Bajrang Dal activists, who falsely accused them of trafficking and religious conversion. Despite the girls affirming their Catholic faith and voluntary travel, the group was held until human rights lawyers intervened and officials confirmed the allegations were baseless.
Speaking to Matters India, Sr. Jena noted that all three major attacks on nuns in less than three months this year involved Sisters wearing habits. “To those who insist on habits during travel—and to congregations unwilling to reflect or adapt—I say: be prepared to defend these Sisters when they’re attacked,” she asserted.
The three incidents are: 1) Khorda Road May 31; Durg Chhattisgarh July 25, and Jaleswar Odisha August 6.
Sr. Jena emphasized that religious attire should never be a pretext for assault. “Attacking someone based on their religious identity violates constitutional rights and human dignity,” she said.
She cited over 800 documented attacks on Christians in 2024, including false arrests, church vandalism, and denial of burial rights—especially in tribal regions where Christians are often coerced to reconvert for basic dignities.
Her own congregation, rooted in missionary charism, does not mandate formal habits. “Our Vatican-approved constitution affirms simple dress suited to mission needs,” she explained, adding that she personally does not wear a habit and has avoided threats related to attire.
Quoting Perfectae Caritatis from the Second Vatican Council and Canon 669 of the Code of Canon Law, Sr. Jena stressed that religious clothing must be “simple, modest, and adapted to time, place, and ministry.”
However, she warned that changing dress codes alone won’t deter fundamentalist aggression. “The mindset of right-wing hooligans will not change even if habits are not worn in public,” she said. “The decision to wear a habit should be mission-driven, not fear-driven.”
As attacks intensify, Sr. Jena joins a growing chorus of religious leaders urging the Church to protect its missionaries and uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens—especially those whose faith makes them targets.
In the current scenario, the suggestions from some quarters not to wear formal habits is very apt. If this suggestion is adopted then the sisters will be wearing normal civil dress worn by common citizens and therefore cannot be identified and attacked as Christians, as it’s happening Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, etc. Wearing civil dress will also facilitate free movement.
In this context, it would be better not to take Western names (of saints) as Baptismal names. Indian names should suffice.
Thank you for speaking up!
Sr. Sujata has given an open challenge: “If you’re going to insist that we wear habits everywhere, then be ready to defend us when we’re attacked on the streets.” It is high time that all women religious congregations discuss, debate and decide their lifestyle considering the present anti-Christian/minority scenario in the country.