Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt/Image taken from a video
Dr Malayil Sabu Koshy Cheriyan, Church of South India (CSI) Central Kerala Bishop, and Shamsudeen Mannani Ilavupalam, Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid Imam, spoke to media after the controversy sparked by the remarks of Pala Bishop. The duo urged the people of Kerala to maintain peace and good relations with each other.
Joseph Kallarangat, the bishop of the Pala diocese, had sparked communal tension in the region with anti-Muslim remarks. He said that youngsters are being targeted by Muslims through 'Love Jihad' and 'Narcotic Jihad'. He was speaking at Kuravilangad church during an eight-day lent in the first week of September.
Bishop Sabu Koshy said at the press meet that we live in a place where people from all communities live. We have strong bonds and nothing should hamper that, he stressed. He added that there are people who fish in troubled waters. People shouldn't be proven wrong through the words of some people. In every religion, there will be extremists. Such people will utilise certain situations. We should be very careful about it, he said, as reported by The News Minute.
Shamsudeen Mannani Ilavupalam urged the Muslim community to maintain peace and said it must be checked whether it was appropriate to hold protests at this time when we should give more importance to peace and harmony. He stated that there are around 85 Muslim organisations registered in Kerala. "It is our responsibility to maintain peace in this unfortunate situation."
Several Muslim organisations had marched to ala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt's house in protest. Various Christian groups had held marches in support of the Bishop. Several Congress leaders strongly condemned the remarks, but political leaders such as PJ Joseph, Anoop Jacob, and PC George extended support.
Pala Deputy Superintendent of Police Shaju Jose had also called a meeting of religious leaders from the Muslim community, the Christian community, and the Nair Service Society (NSS) to ensure peace in the region.