Team News Riveting
Kochi, September 15
Kerala Congress seems to be in a state of muddle; instead of opposing the sensitive issue of “Narcotic Jihad” raised by a Bishop, it had been trying to grill the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The sensitive “love and narcotic jihad” remark by Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt had been dragged into controversy by the Congress. According to Bishop Kalarangatt, lured by drugs supplied by Muslim youth, Christians in Kerala have been ‘falling prey’ to religious conversion to Islam. He called it “narcotics jihad”.
The Kerala main opposition party literally tried to dilute such a sensitive issue by putting the ball on the RSS court with any logic. Instead of supporting the concern raised by the Bishop, Congress had been trying to give it a communal colour that would overtly divert the serious issue.
“The state government isn’t taking action against fake IDs on social media trying to spread communal issues. The Sangh (RSS) is making an agenda in Kerala to split the 2 minority communities -Muslims and Christians,” V D Satheesan, Leader of Opposition in Kerala, said. They demanded an all-party meeting in presence of both community leaders to settle the matter (Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt’s remark on ‘narcotic jihad), he added.
Political pundits in Kerala observed that Congress was totally confused to take a call on the issue. One asked, “If the extremists had a well-planned Jihadi strategy, how could the community leaders settle the issue?” Moreover, which community leader would come forward to reveal his connection with the Jihadi to intervene in the matter, he added.
While the archbishop of Changanassery diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church, Joseph Perumthottam had backed Kallarangatt, the Nair Service Society (NSS), an outfit of Kerala’s forward Nair community, had also expressed concern over the incidents of forced religious conversion taking place in many parts of Kerala after luring girls into the trap of love.
A section of people had castigated Congress in the social media for its stand. “Pala bishop talks about Narcotic Jihad. Some Muslim outfits goes for rally protesting against the bishop. From where did Sangh come in! What nonsense!” said a tweet. V S Satheeean is spreading communal hatred against RSS and Hindus. Arrest him, another added.
