The police seized mikes used by nuns and leaders of various Christian Associations during a candle rally from Bishop Azariah School to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Smrithi Vanam here on Monday (August 4, 2025), to protest the arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh.

Nuns, pastors and members of the Federation of Churches, carrying placards took part in the rally. They alleged that Suryaraopet police intercepted the rally and stopped them from reaching Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Smrithi Vanam, citing no permission for the rally was taken.

However, an association leader who participated in the rally said, “We took permission from the police in advance for organising the rally. But, a police officer stopped us on the road, and had an argument saying there is no permission for the candle rally. Though we requested him to allow us till Smrithi Vanam, the police did not consider our request. The nuns returned to Bishop Azariah School.”

South Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) D. Paavan Kumar said that there was no permission for use mikes in the rally. “As the organisers were using mikes and causing inconvenience to the public, we seized them,” the ACP said.

Meanwhile, Vijayawada Catholic Diocese Mansignore and Federation of Churches executive secretary Rev. Muvvala Prasad, Bethel Ministries chairman Rev. S. Jaya Kumar, Gunadala Church Rector Fr. Eleti William Jaya Raju, nuns Suguna, Sundari and others, demanded lifting of the cases on nuns immediately.