Kerala minister withdraws 'unsavoury' remarks made against Bishops

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Culture Minister Saji Cherian on Tuesday stuck to his statement criticising the bishops and Church leaders for not taking up the Manipur issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Christmas lunch organised by him in Delhi on December 25.

Cherian, however, withdrew his statement about cake and wine. "I withdraw the remarks referring to cake and wine if it has hurt the sentiments of the Bishops and other church leaders," he said.

It may be recalled that during a party function at Punnapra in Alappuzha district, the minister  remarked during his speech; ''some bishops were thrilled when the BJP invited them for a feast and  they forgot about the Manipur issue after consuming grape juice and cake."

The minister was forced to withdraw his remarks and clarify his stand at a press conference in Kochi after Major Archbishop of Syro Malankara church Baselios Cleemis demanded that Saji Cheriyan withdraw his statement and give an explanation.  The Bishop further made it clear that the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference would not cooperate with the government till the minister withdrew his remarks.

Archbishop Cleemis said Saji Cheriyan's statement was irresponsible. His words were bereft of respect for others.  “It is not for the political parties to decide whether Church leaders should attend an event for which invitation is extended to them. They would go with respect if the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister invited them for a function. We are conveying our position very clearly to the government,” he said.

The Jacobite Church has also come out against Saji Cheriyan.

“There are ways at the official level to bring issues including Manipur to the notice of the central government. The congregation of the churches has already informed the government about this matter,” a spokesman of the Church told the media.

Attacks on Christians increased under the Modi regime

At the press conference, Culture Minister Saji Cherian said during the last year over 700 communal attacks have been carried out against the Christians across the country. At least two attacks are taking place against the Christians in the country every day. The break up is 289 incidents in Uttar Pradesh, 148 in Chhattisgarh, 49 in Jharkhand and 47 in Haryana – all are BJP-ruled states.

From 140 attacks in 2014, there has been an increase in incidents against Christians.

Reports from international agencies suggest that India is ranked eleventh in atrocities against Christians.

The BJP-led Central government and state government failed miserably in containing the brutal violence involving Hindu majority Maitis and Christian majority Kukis. Over 200 persons were killed, 60,000 houses were destroyed, hundreds of churches and other religious places were burnt and thousands were forced to migrate from the state following the Manipur violence.

No steps were taken by the governments concerned to check the violence. Despite Manipur burning for the past several months, the Prime Minister has not yet visited the state or agreed to make a statement in the parliament.

Earlier the Congress and the BJP had criticised the minister for making harsh remarks against the bishops.