Thalassery bishop asks PM Modi to hold close to him Manipur sisters as he did to US president

Kozhikode: Thalassery diocese archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, known for his previous favouritism towards the BJP, has now taken a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that Modi should extend the same level of affection to the sisters of Manipur who endured a brutal attack, just as he did with US President Joe Biden.

Speaking at the conclusion of a 24-hour hunger strike organized by Kasaragod Member of Parliament (MP) Rajmohan Unnithan against the BJP-led Union government, Archbishop Pamplany called on the Prime Minister to show similar concern for the "sisters of Manipur who have been victim to brutal atrocities."

The archbishop emphasized that Modi should remember his role as the leader of a diverse nation and not be partial to any specific community. He applauded Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his visits to conflict-ridden areas in Manipur, interpreting them as a show of solidarity with minority communities. He added that merely changing the country's name to Bharat was insufficient in addressing the concerns of minorities.

Rajmohan Unnithan initiated the satyagraha to protest against what he perceived as attacks on the Constitution by the Union government, particularly citing its proposal for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC). He accused the government of exacerbating ethnic violence in Manipur. Reports suggest that the hunger strike served as a platform for Rajmohan to kickstart his election campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

Congress general secretary in charge of the organization KC Venugopal also weighed in on the matter, alleging that Modi was using the G20 summit for personal popularity. Venugopal further claimed that the BJP government's use of 'Bharat' in official communications was driven by fear of the Opposition's Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.).