Kerala: Bishop Kallarangatt booked for ‘Narco jihad’ remark
Court in Pala issued directions based on a plea filed by Kottayam district president of the All India Imams Council, Abdul Azeez Moulavi
Based on a complaint, that Bishop of Pala diocese Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt’s “love and narcotic jihad” remarks, are promoting feelings of hatred between different groups on the grounds of religion, a Magistrate's Court in Kerala has directed the state police to investigate the matter.
Though it is not yet known if an FIR has been registered against the Bishop, the Court in Pala has issued directions based on a plea filed by Kottayam district president of the All India Imams Council, Abdul Azeez Moulavi. In his complaint Moulavi has alleged that Kallarangatt tried to divide society with his “love and narcotic jihad” remarks, reported Indian Express citing CP Ajmal, counsel for the petitioner. According to news reports, the magistrate court in Pala has directed the local police to register the case against the Bishop, and Kottayam Police have invoked charges, including promotion of enmity, against the Bishop.
The charges, perhaps the first legal action, came two months after the Pala Bishop had claimed there was what he termed “narcotics jihad” as well as so-called “love jihad” being unleashed in the state. He had reportedly alleged that “drugs” were used to lace soft drinks and juices to make non-Muslims addicts. His remarks had been met with great outrage from civil society.
Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt of the Syro Malabar Church is no stranger to controversy, and his allegation of this ‘narcotic jihad’, was made during a public address at a meeting at Marth Mariam Pilgrim Church at Kuravilangad in Kottayam district on September 9. He reportedly alleged that non-Muslims are being targeted with 'Narcotic Jihad' in Kerala, has set alight a massive debate and divide in Kerala.
Hate begets hate
Kallarangatt’s words were called "unwarranted, unethical and un-Christian”, and many distanced themselves from him. However, the words may have further fuelled right-wing groups to continue fanning communal fires. Another incident was reported from Kerala, where controversy errupted over a catechism textbook that had been published and circulated by the Syro-Malabar Church’s Thamarassery diocese, that allegedly contained “several defamatory and derogatory statements against Islam.”
This lead to protests by several Muslim organisations, who asked the government to impound the book. The diocese of Thamarassery was forced to tender an apology and “explained” that “the book was meant only to retain the youth within the Christian faith and protect women.”
Make more babies too, he said!
In July Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangat had announced financial aid to those families who have five or more children in his diocese or jurisdiction. The sops were announced by Kallarangatt during an online meeting called by him. The sops will be given to couples who have been married after 2000. Posters to that effect were also put in circulation in the area. They, translated in the media reports, said, "Year of the Family, Live the joy of God's love includes a monthly scholarship of Rs 1,500, starting from the fourth child and to all future kids of a family, will be given education with scholarship at the church-run St Joseph's College of Engineering and Technology, besides free medical facility for every child after the fourth will be offered at the church-run hospital."
However, as soon as this announcement began to be reported by the media, the church leader said he stood by his words. According to media reports, the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Pala seems to be concerned about the community's dwindling numbers. They have reportedly already called for “early marriages, larger families and avoiding contraceptive measures”, however none of that seem to have had much effect. When all else fails, it is hoped that financial aid yields the desired results.
Related:
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Kerala: Bishop Kallarangatt booked for ‘Narco jihad’ remark
Court in Pala issued directions based on a plea filed by Kottayam district president of the All India Imams Council, Abdul Azeez Moulavi
Based on a complaint, that Bishop of Pala diocese Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt’s “love and narcotic jihad” remarks, are promoting feelings of hatred between different groups on the grounds of religion, a Magistrate's Court in Kerala has directed the state police to investigate the matter.
Though it is not yet known if an FIR has been registered against the Bishop, the Court in Pala has issued directions based on a plea filed by Kottayam district president of the All India Imams Council, Abdul Azeez Moulavi. In his complaint Moulavi has alleged that Kallarangatt tried to divide society with his “love and narcotic jihad” remarks, reported Indian Express citing CP Ajmal, counsel for the petitioner. According to news reports, the magistrate court in Pala has directed the local police to register the case against the Bishop, and Kottayam Police have invoked charges, including promotion of enmity, against the Bishop.
The charges, perhaps the first legal action, came two months after the Pala Bishop had claimed there was what he termed “narcotics jihad” as well as so-called “love jihad” being unleashed in the state. He had reportedly alleged that “drugs” were used to lace soft drinks and juices to make non-Muslims addicts. His remarks had been met with great outrage from civil society.
Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt of the Syro Malabar Church is no stranger to controversy, and his allegation of this ‘narcotic jihad’, was made during a public address at a meeting at Marth Mariam Pilgrim Church at Kuravilangad in Kottayam district on September 9. He reportedly alleged that non-Muslims are being targeted with 'Narcotic Jihad' in Kerala, has set alight a massive debate and divide in Kerala.
Hate begets hate
Kallarangatt’s words were called "unwarranted, unethical and un-Christian”, and many distanced themselves from him. However, the words may have further fuelled right-wing groups to continue fanning communal fires. Another incident was reported from Kerala, where controversy errupted over a catechism textbook that had been published and circulated by the Syro-Malabar Church’s Thamarassery diocese, that allegedly contained “several defamatory and derogatory statements against Islam.”
This lead to protests by several Muslim organisations, who asked the government to impound the book. The diocese of Thamarassery was forced to tender an apology and “explained” that “the book was meant only to retain the youth within the Christian faith and protect women.”
Make more babies too, he said!
In July Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangat had announced financial aid to those families who have five or more children in his diocese or jurisdiction. The sops were announced by Kallarangatt during an online meeting called by him. The sops will be given to couples who have been married after 2000. Posters to that effect were also put in circulation in the area. They, translated in the media reports, said, "Year of the Family, Live the joy of God's love includes a monthly scholarship of Rs 1,500, starting from the fourth child and to all future kids of a family, will be given education with scholarship at the church-run St Joseph's College of Engineering and Technology, besides free medical facility for every child after the fourth will be offered at the church-run hospital."
However, as soon as this announcement began to be reported by the media, the church leader said he stood by his words. According to media reports, the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Pala seems to be concerned about the community's dwindling numbers. They have reportedly already called for “early marriages, larger families and avoiding contraceptive measures”, however none of that seem to have had much effect. When all else fails, it is hoped that financial aid yields the desired results.
Related:
Sections of the Kerala church getting dangerously communal?
Who will decide how many children an Indian woman should bear?
Police cracking down on voluntary interfaith unions in Guj, UP
Anti-conversion law will not apply to inter-faith marriages unless there is force, fraud,
Has Karnataka government put on hold survey of churches, till Pope-Modi meeting
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