The statement by Mar Joseph Kallarangatt, the Bishop of Palai, warning the laity, especially the Christian youth, against Love Jihad and Narcotics Jihad has embarrassed the ruling CPI(M) and the Opposition Congress alike in Kerala.
The Bishop, while addressing a religious congregation at the famous Marth Mariam Archdeacon Pilgrim Church at Kuravilangadu in Kottayam district on Wednesday came down heavily on Love Jiahd and Narcotics Jihad which he described as the new modus operandi employed by a section of the Islamic community in the State to destroy the Hindu and Christian religions and families. He said Lok Nath Behra, the then Chief of Kerala Police, had warned the authorities how Kerala was being used by terrorists to recruit jihadi fighters for the establishment of an Islamic republic.
Though the Bishop spoke at length about Love Jihad and Narcotics Jihad in his address, even Deepika, the mouthpiece of the Catholic Church had ignored the report. It was Janmabhumi, the organ of the BJP which highlighted the speech which has led to a furor over the State.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in his televised press meet, lambasted the Bishop and feigned ignorance about the term Narcotics Jihad. “I am hearing it for the first time. Perhaps, the Bishop may be asked to explain what he meant by it,” Vijayan had said.
V D Satheesan, leader of the Opposition, criticized the Bishop for making irresponsible allegations. Many Islamist organisations went to the extend of demanding the arrest of the Bishop for his attempts to create rift between the minority communities. While leaders of the CPI(M) and the Congress were vying with one another to placate the Islamic community, Mar Pauly Kannookadan, the Bishop of Iringalakkuda Diocese, issued a stern warning to the youth to be vigilante against Love Jihad and Narcotics Jihad in the backdrop of hundreds of girls from the Christian community falling victims to the evil designs of zealots and ending up as slaves in terrorist camps in West Asia. Bishop Kannookadan too was addressing a religious congregation while offering Holy Mass at the Diocese headquarters.
On Friday, various Islamic outfits in the State staged demonstrations against the statements of the Bishops. The Catholic community, on its part, undertook massive rallies at Pala and Irinjallakuda expressing solidarity with the Bishops. The rally held at Pala was led by P C George, seven-term MLA and former working chairman of the Kerala Congress. He warned the CPI(M) and Congress leaders from threatening the spiritual leaders of the Catholic community. “Chief Minister Vijayan and Congress leader Satheesan are trying to consolidate the minority vote bank in the State,” charged George.
Kevin Peter, president, Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (CASA) pointed out that the Pala Bishop’s speech was based on official figures and data. “More than 90 per cent of the de-addiction and detoxification clinics in Kerala are under the management of the Church. We know how many people are falling prey to narcotics. The Bishop’s speech was meant for the youth in the community and he was not playing to the gallery,” said Peter.
Jaison Mazhuvancherry, a devote Catholic, who had lost a close relation to Love Jihad, who led the Pala rally from the front described the Bishop’s speech as a new beginning in Kerala’s social and political landscape. “Thousands of Christian girls from Kerala have become martyrs and living martyrs and this is a serious issue all set to devour the communal amity and peace of the State,” said Jaison.
While all Hindu organizations have come out supporting the speeches of the Bishops, the secular and liberal political parties have condemned the same.