The Congress accused the ruling Left of being a mute spectator to the issue.
Thiruvananthapuram:
Refusing to die with controversy over “Love and Narcotic Jihad” remarks by Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangat, the Congress and the BJP on Monday waged a new round of verbal battles, trading allegations against each other over the issue.
Addressing devotees during a church function at Kuravilangad in Kottayam district last week, the bishop had said that non-Muslim girls, especially girls belonging to the Christian community, were “trapped on a large scale” as part of “love jihad”. “It was being converted. Their love for destructive activities like terrorism, exploitation and abuse.”
While the Congress today accused the BJP of trying to gain political mileage by dividing the society on the basis of religion, using Bishop’s statement, BJP leaders met senior priest in his diocese in Pala to express solidarity with him. He further alleged that the Congress and the CPI(M) were taking a stand in favor of the extremist elements causing trouble instead of addressing the concerns raised by them.
Alleging that “deliberate efforts” are being made to destroy the state’s communal harmony through various social media platforms, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan wrote a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, asking him to initiate an investigation. requested. Forces are involved in trying to divide people who are sowing seeds of communalism through fake IDs through Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram.
Speaking to reporters in Malappuram, he accused the ruling Left of being a mute spectator to the issue.
Clearly citing Bishop’s allegations, the senior Congress leader also said that if any community organization or their leaders have complained or expressed concern about any particular incident, then it should also be investigated.
Strongly supporting the bishop’s remarks, BJP national executive member PK Krishnadas and state vice-president AN Radhakrishnan today met a senior priest in Pala Diocese and called on the CPI(M) and Congress to “cleanse” the activities of “extremist forces” in the country. ” charged to. State.
Mr Krishnadas alleged that if any extremist indulges in “Love and Narcotic Jihad” in the state, as alleged by Bishop, instead of initiating investigation and taking appropriate legal action, the Chief Minister and the LoP favored such forces. took steps.
Speaking to various television channels, Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai said that he has discussed the matter with the Pala Bishop and the concerns raised by Pujari should be addressed. Pillai, who has cordial relations with various church groups in the state, indicated that he would take up the matter with the Centre.
In his letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Satheesan said that it is a matter of grave concern that attempts are being made, covertly and openly, to destroy the religious harmony and social unity of Kerala.
He alleged that a conscious effort was made to create large-scale division, rivalry and mistrust between different religions in the state.
“Social media platforms are used for this. Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram as well as Facebook and YouTube are being misused by some to run misinformation campaign”, he said, calling on the Chief Minister seriously. He urged them to investigate and punish such people. ‘Element”.
“We support all good efforts to maintain the peaceful atmosphere, religious harmony and social unity of Kerala,” he said.
KPCC president K Sudhakaran urged the state government to convene an all-party meeting and a meeting of community religious leaders to resolve the issues and end the BJP’s “political exploitation” by creating tension among communities.
Meanwhile, the Nair Service Society (NSS), an organization of the Forward Nair community of Kerala, on Monday expressed concern over incidents of forced conversion of girls in many parts of Kerala by trapping them in love.
NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said in a statement that both the state and central governments should take steps to check those indulging in such inhuman anti-national activities.
However, he said that it is not right to give any religious or communal color to such activities.
Shri Nair also called for collective efforts by all sections to end the tendency of endangering the country by creating religious hatred and division in the society.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam of the Changanassery Archdiocese of Syro-Malabar Church today supported the Pala Bishop, urging the government to end the menace of “narcotic terrorism” in Kerala.
In an article today in the church’s organ ‘Deepika’, he said that many families have been torn apart after their girls, caught in the trap of love, were abused for drug trafficking, religious terrorism, smuggling and prostitution.
He said that with the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan, the potential for Kerala to become a drug smuggling hub is very high and urged the government to take steps to end “drug terrorism” in the state.
The controversial “Love and Narcotic Jihad” remark by Bishop Kallarangat caused a stir in Kerala political circles as the BJP accused the CPI(M) and Congress of supporting jihadists, while the latter for destroying Christian-Muslim harmony Warned against “Agenda of Sangh Parivar”. in the state.
Amid mounting criticism, the Pala Diocese, under the dominant Syro-Malabar Church, came out with a clarification on Saturday that the bishop did not intend to hurt anyone and that his remarks were not against any particular community.
Urging all communities to seriously look into the action of fringe elements indulging in radical and anti-social activities using names and symbols of religion, the diocese also shared the message of moving forward to unitely end all misleading propaganda. did.
While the Congress had said that the bishop had crossed limits, the BJP backed him, urging the society to discuss the statement.
Condemning Bishop Kallarangat’s statement, the CM on Friday said those in responsible positions should refrain from making statements that create division in the society.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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