CM Pinarayi Vijayan refers to Christian persecution to slam BJP Governments

Amidst calls from Bishops urging the withdrawal of a remark made by Minister Saji Cherian regarding their participation in PM Narendra Modi’s seasonal interaction, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan brought up the Manipur violence, highlighting the vulnerable living conditions of minorities in the BJP-governed state.

The Chief Minister criticized both the Central and state governments for maintaining silence on the issue.

This statement comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with Christian leaders on Christmas and BJP workers delivering seasonal messages to Christian homes in Kerala. Vijayan accused certain individuals of pretending friendship for votes and expressed scepticism about their motives.

The situation in Manipur has become dire, with a specific community, particularly the Christian population, facing challenges to their survival, said CM Pinarayi Vijayan.

Unfortunately, there has been a lack of government intervention, both at the central and state levels, with those in authoritative positions remaining silent on the issue of violence, he added.

Pointing to the Bishops’ meeting with PM Modi, the Chief Minister stated that while some individuals have taken steps to address the ongoing crisis, there are concerns about their sincerity, suggesting that political motivations, specifically for garnering votes, may be driving these efforts.

The Chief Minister emphasized a sense of disguise and pretence in these actions, implying that the true motives are not genuine friendship but rather a strategic political agenda.

The Chief Minister's criticism of BJP's Christian outreach programs coincided with similar sentiments from his cabinet colleague, Saji Cherian, who condemned bishops for meeting the Prime Minister but allegedly ignoring the Manipur violence. Cherian accused the bishops of enjoying the hospitality offered by the BJP during the meeting but failing to address the critical issue at hand.

In response to Cherian's remarks, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), a body of bishops in the state, denounced the minister's statement as unbecoming of his position. Council secretary Fr Jacob Palackappally expressed disapproval, stating that while criticism is acceptable, the minister should have used more decent language.

This latest episode follows a series of political clashes in Kerala, with CPI(M)-backed legislator K T Jaleel previously attacking the Catholic Church for inviting leaders of both the BJP and the Indian Union Muslim League to a Christmas celebration. The event held at the KCBC headquarters in Kochi featured the participation of the BJP state president and IUML state president, further intensifying the political divide in the state.