Cong criticises bishop, BJP terms it serious issue
The controversial statement of Catholic bishop Joseph Kallarangatt on the alleged 'love and narcotic jihad' kicked up a political storm in Kerala on Friday as the opposition Congress came out criticising him saying the remarks had "crossed the limits" while the BJP extended complete support urging the society to discuss it.
However, the ruling CPI(M), which used to be quick to react in sensational issues, is yet to make any official statement over the matter. Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan, in a Facebook post, requested the community and spiritual leaders to desist themselves from making any move or statement that would destroy
the atmosphere of peace in the southern state and mutual trust between human beings. Stating that crime does not have any caste or gender, he said seeing caste and religion for mental illness is tantamount to racism.
"It is a grave mistake to count the number of crimes on the basis of caste and religion and blame any particular community for the same. The statement of
bishop Joseph Kallarangatt has crossed the limits," he said.
He also opined that religious leaders should maintain self-control and restraint. Echoing the same sentiments, senior Congress leader and MLA, P T Thomas said the bishop's statement is not conducive to foster communal harmony in the society.
"No one should give fuel to divide communities that have always maintained religious harmony," he said in a FB post.
However, BJP state chief K Surendran came out supporting the bishop, belonging to the prominent Syro-Malabar Church, saying that what he had said was a "serious issue" which the state society should discuss and analyse.
"What the Bishop has said is based on his own experience. It is a serious issue which should be discussed without any prejudice. Why certain people are afraid of debate?" he told reporters here. Supporting the claims of Kallarangatt, the BJP president alleged that 'narcotic jihad' is a reality in the state and those who are being arrested in connection with rave parties in Kerala have close links with terrorist networks.