‘Narcotic jihad’ row: Syro-Malabar Church comes out in support of Pala Bishop over his remark

Releasing the statement, the Church said that Bishop's statement was not targeted to defame any community, religion, or creed.

 

The issued statement by the Public Affairs Commission of Syro-Malabar Church led by Mar Andrews Thazhath reads, "It is unfortunate that the ongoing controversy over some of the warnings which Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt has given to Congregation."

 

 

'It is clear to everyone that he never spoke in a way that defamed any community, religion, or creed. At the same time, he warned of some organized anti-social activities. The Pala diocese has also stated that he did not speak out against any religion or creed," the Church further said in the issued statement.

 

 

It should be noted that Syro-Malabar Catholic Chruch is the second-largest Oriental Catholic Chruch and a Major Archiepiscopal Chruch based out of Kerala.

 

Without taking the name of any political party, it further stated," Those who are consciously campaigning to isolate and attack him by accusing him of preaching religious rivalry are requested to withdraw from it. While context and motive of his speech are clear, we recognise that call for action against him is deliberate."

The Church further alleged that the attempt to blame the bishop was done by yielding to pressure 'from various quarters. "Such moves will only serve to destroy brotherhood and co-existence that exists in Kerala society... We are making clear that we will stand against this and will stand united with him (Pala bishop)," it added.

 

Earlier, Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) alleged the presence of terrorist movement and increase in drug use in Kerala. The council went on to suggest that the Pinarayi Vijayan govt in the state remains unfazed by the security threat and refuses to probe the issues. In an official statement, the KCBC stressed that Kerala is facing serious social crises and some of the important ones are the presence of terrorist movements and shocking increase in drug use.

This comes after the Pala Bishop on 9 September had alleged that young girls were largely falling prey to "love and narcotic jihad" in Kerala. He said that these tactics are being used to destroy non Muslims.

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