Women lured into IS trap, says church

DENYING THE CHARGES, THE POPULAR FRONT OF INDIA (PFI), AN ISLAMIC OUTFIT, QUESTIONED THE ‘TIMING’ OF THE STATEMENT AND URGED THE SYRO-MALABAR CHURCH TO WITHDRAW IT IMMEDIATELY

KOCHI: Kicking up a debate, an influential Catholic Church in Kerala has alleged that scores of women from Christian community from the southern state were being lured into the trap of Islamic State and used in terror activities.

The synod of Syro-malabar Church, an apex body of Catholic Bishops chaired by Cardinal George Alencherry, also accused the state police of not viewing the matter cautiously and taking timely action in hate crime cases.

Denying the charges, the Popular Front of India (PFI), an Islamic outfit, questioned the “timing” of the statement and urged the church to withdraw it immediately “as it would only help create division amid growing unity among various sections of society against Hindutva Fascism.” The Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) welcomed the church statement and called for a united fight against hate crime in Kerala society.

An official of the Kerala State Women’s Commission refused to comment, considering the sensitivity involved in the matter. There was no immediate reaction from the police and government as well.

“There are circumstances in which Christian girls are killed in the name of Love Jihad in Kerala,” the Synod has alleged in a statement issued through SyroMalabar Media Commission here on Tuesday night, referring to the attacks against Christians across the world.

The Synod has termed as “shocking” the killing of Christians in Nigeria on Christmas day.

It is a matter of concern that hate crime is gaining grounds in Kerala putting in danger its social peace and communal harmony, the Synod said.

It pointed out that Christian girls were targeted in a planned manner. The Synod, referring to a police record, said out of 21 people who were recruited into Islamic State terror outfit, half of them were converted from Christian faith and it should be an eye opener for the community.noting that unofficial accounts say many girls were being used in terror activities, the Synod said it was a serious matter.

The Synod, however, said it was not assessing it as an issue affecting the friendship between religions and urged the government to treat it as one related to law and order and not as a religious matter.

The church demanded speedy action against the culprits involved in hate crimes. It also called for efforts to sensitise parents and children. The PFI claimed that the state police, after conducting a thorough probe, had earlier submitted a report in the Kerala high court, stating that there was no cases of hate crime in the state.