Kottayam:After several years of allegations of 'Love Jihad', primarily from the side of BJP leaders, the Church is also joining the rhetoric, this time through coining of a new word, 'Narcotics Jihad'. It is an irony that when World Catholic leader Pope Francis proclaimed for universal, all religion brotherhood, one of his disciple, Pala Bishop, Mar Joseph Kallarangat, pointed his fingers at a particular religion and alleged that Christian young women have been lured to the psychedelic world of narcotics before them being converted.
His controversial remarks came two days ago when he addressed the believers as part of the eight day lent of St. Mary. He also echoed his concerns over increasing cases of love jihad. This has kicked up a big controversy in Kerala and comments supporting and against the remarks are flooding the social media.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, when asked about these remarks, said that he was hearing the term narcotics jihad for the first time and dismissed the Bishop's remarks saying that there is no religion for narcotic drugs and it is an anti-social activity. He also noted that no religion would encourage the use of drugs.
Now many religious and political organisations have taken up this debate, with many seriously criticising the views of the Bishop as a inflammatory statement that would adversely affect the religious harmony in the state.
Bishop said there were efforts from a particular religion to popularise use of drugs among Christian youths and claiming there is no love jihad is like closing your eyes to think of its darkness around. He said those who dismiss the allegations of love jihad have vested interests.
Opposition leader VD Satheeshan had come down heavily against the claims of the Bishop and accused the Sangh Parivar activists for fanning the fire. He said there were several fake social media accounts that had been trying to create tension between two religions by posting propaganda posts.
K Surendran, BJP state president was also quick to join, supporting the Bishop and said he would have made those remarks based on his personal experience and these allegations should be investigated thoroughly. Kerala BJP even shot a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting him to order an investigation into these allegations.
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Several Christian religious heads have also come in support of Pala Bishop. Pala assistant Bishop, Jacob Murikkan was the first to come in support and said the activities of a minority group that uses the name of the religion to propagate religious extremism and anti-social activities should be viewed seriously. He even went to the extent of describing the words of the Bishop as the future voice of the prophet. Following this, the Iringalakkuda and Changanassery dioceses also came in support of Pala Bishop.