Church eases stand against Left government

The Latin Catholic Church in Kerala yesterday eased its hostility towards the Left Democratic Front government on the issue of pilgrims going up to the Bonacaud hilltop being beaten up by police.

Pilgrims of the Neyyattinkara diocese of the Latin Catholic Church were cane charged last week when they attempted to break the police cordon and conduct worship on the Bonacaud hilltop, arguing that it was a six-decade long tradition.

The church had planned to hike its protest actions against the government, with a sit-in in front of the state secretariat on Tuesday.

However, the church has now softened its position, following talks between archbishop Susaipakiam and the state Forest Minister K. Raju.

Assurance given

The cancellation of the proposed protest came reportedly after the minister gave an assurance that pilgrimage to the disputed site within forest land would be permitted under certain restrictions.

Accordingly, pilgrimage will be allowed for five days, though pilgrimage carrying crosses will not be permitted. No construction will also be permitted on the hilltop, which is forest land.

There had been a concrete cross on the hilltop for some years, but it was found destroyed last year. A wooden cross put up in its place was also destroyed by unidentified people.

The archbishop said the proposed protests by the church would be withheld until the church leaders discussed the issue with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.