Kerala BJP general secretary, George Kurian on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking Central intervention to curb jihadi activities and protection to Roman Catholic Bishop of Pala, Joseph Kallarangatt and the Christian community based on allegations made by him regarding various kinds of jihad being waged by Wahhabi elements to entrap non-Muslim youths.
In his letter, Kurian said, “I draw your kind attention to the allegations made by Roman Catholic Bishop of Pala Mar Joseph Kallarangart regarding various kinds of jihad being waged by Islamist elements to entrap non-Muslim youths. According to the Bishop, jihadi terrorists in the state of Kerala are ‘resorting to not just Love Jihad but Narcotic Jihad as well to trap Hindu and Christian girls’. This has given rise to fear among non-Muslim communities in the state.” According to the letter, the Bishop urged parents to be cautious and quoted former police chief Loknath Behra who had said recently that Kerala was becoming the recruitment hub for terrorist organisations. The Bishop’s statement is a reflection of the insecurity among Christians and Hindus.
“The Chief Minister of Kerala and Opposition Leader in the Assembly have sharply criticised the Bishop for his statement and warned of consequences. Emboldened by the political support, a group of…extremists marches to the Bishop House at Pala threatening a physical attack on the Bishop,” Kurian said in his letter.
“In Kerala, jihadi elements get wholehearted support from the CPM and Congress. Many of the jihadi elements are active workers of the CPM and Congress. This has rendered the situation volatile. In these circumstances, I request you to kindly intervene in this matter and take necessary action to protect the Bishop and the Christian community,” he added.
Earlier on Thursday, Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt has alleged that young girls were falling prey to “love and narcotic jihad” in Kerala and that these tactics were being used to destroy non-Muslims.
Much to the embarrassment of the state’s ruling CPM, its alliance partner, Kerala Congress (M) came out in support of the Bishop.
KC(M), a constituent partner in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) from the Christian dominated belt in the state said that the Bishop was merely pointing out existing social evils. KC(M) chairman, Jose K. Mani said that the Bishop Kallarangatt had pointed out the social danger of drugs and had asked believers to be vigilant against it. “The church leadership has always been responsible for educating believers and the general public against social evils. Those who criticize Pala Bishop for calling it out are trying to destroy the religious brotherhood and peaceful atmosphere of Kerala. It must be opposed,” he said.
He alleged those who were attempting to distort his remarks were trying to create disharmony in the state.
“It is beyond doubt that the use of narcotic substances is a major threat in Kerala society. Kerala always held high religious harmony. Every one of us should strive hard to maintain the brotherhood existing between various religious communities,” he added.
Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the problem of narcotics is not just limited to any particular religion, it affected society as a whole. “ We are hearing the term ‘narcotic jihad’ for the first time. Those who are in responsible position should be cautious not to make any religious division in the society,” he had said.