Kerala CM fumes as giant metal cross is removed, church unhappy

A 30-feet tall metal cross was pulled down as part of an official anti-encroachment drive in the hill station of Munnar with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing strong displeasure over the act.

Vijayan said the government’s “displeasure” has already been conveyed to the Idukki district administration.

“The steps taken by the district administration have resulted in some misunderstanding. A cross which was there was destroyed as part of an anti-encroachment drive,” Vijayan said.

Reacting cautiously to the incident, Syro Malabar Church spokesman Fr Jimmy Poochakkatt said that there was no issue in removing a cross erected in an encroached land but questioned the manner in which it was demolished.

“Cross is a very important holy symbol in Christian faith. We have reservations in the manner in which it was demolished. At the same time we are of the opinion that any such symbol – whether it is religious or political — situated on an encroached land should be removed,” Poochakkatt said.

He also said the government should take steps to see that the anti-encroachment drive in Munnar is not stopped in the name of such incidents.

“Some people try to rake up religious sentiments to sabotage such moves by the government. Authorities should be beware of such forces,” the priest said.

The cross, set up under the garb of ‘spiritual tourism’ atop a hilly area, was brought down with the help of earth movers this morning, officials said.

Besides the cross, some thatched sheds and a prayer hall too were also demolished, they added.