BJP condones Kerala bishop's controversial remarks

A BJP national spokesperson's reaction supporting the catholic bishop of Pala Diocese of Syro-Malabar Eparchy comes after he stirred up a row alleging 'narcotic jihad' and 'love jihad' by members of a particular community against Christian youth in Kerala.

New Delhi:The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday echoed the concerns raised by Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt, calling his 'intervention' a 'wake-up call'.

A BJP national spokesperson's reaction supporting the catholic bishop of Pala Diocese of Syro-Malabar Eparchy comes after he stirred up a row alleging 'narcotic jihad' and 'love jihad' by members of a particular community against Christian youth in Kerala.

"The intervention by Bishop, His excellency Joseph Kallarangatt of Pala, Kerala during sacred worship is not just a wake-up call for his dioceses, it is the voice of the community who are victims of love Jihad and the fallout of Narco terrorism. The cases of love jihad and drug abuse victims are ramping up," said Tom Vadakkan, BJP national spokesperson in a press statement.

Referring to Kerala Bishop Council's allegations that cited 'rampant' flow of drugs into the state and terrorism, Vadakkan said the Kerala government did not take cognizance despite intel inputs.

"The Bishop council has raised the issue following inputs from devotees of different churches and dioceses and complaints raised. Young girls are lured and fall prey to love jihad and are later ending up in foreign jails. This has to be accounted for as human trafficking," the BJP statement read.

Narco-Terrorism, the BJP spokesperson said, "has affected peace within families and has created socioeconomic disorder of disastrous levels."

"The rising drug abuse in different communities has affected peace within families and has created socioeconomic disorder of disastrous levels."

"The peace within families and communities are destroyed by the drug abuse. This aspect is a threat to national security and poses serious threats and implications to the dream of AatmanirbharBharat where we depend on the skills and excellence of our younger generation to lead our country to shining bright future," Vadakkan said.

While the Bishop's allegations have been discussed on social media over his lack of attribution to any indicative data, he said the complaint raised by bishops reflects data from dioceses, churches, academic institutions, hospitals and various deaddiction centres run by the Church itself.

"These are not mere allegations against any community in particular but these anti-social elements pose a threat to national security and would destroy the young generation whom we endow the future of India," he said.

The statement by the Bishop came amid growing discord in the Syro Malabar church in Kerala over liturgical practices.