Nuns Arrested for Allegedly Forcing Non-Christian Students to Sing Hymns

Two nuns in India's Mayurbhanj district were arrested on Saturday for allegedly making two non-Christian girls sing hymns in praise of Christ.

The arrests were made after complaints from the students of a Catholic residential school - Sarojini Murmu, 12, and Anjana Behera, 10.

The students reported that they were compelled to sing hymns and participate in prayers against their will.

The nuns were booked under Sections 323 (causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 (forcibly attempting conversion) of the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act.

After the arrests, Fr Isaac of the Catholic Diocese in Balasore rushed to Mayurbhanhj in support of the nuns. He said the charges were "cooked up".

The issue came to light after the students ran away from the school hostel.