Latest news with #Syro-MalabarCatholics
New Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Christians caught in Nilambur's communal crosscurrents
MALAPPURAM: Ahead of the Nilambur by-election, scheduled for Thursday, political parties are making their final push, with one eye firmly on the Christian vote. Traditionally loyal to the United Democratic Front (UDF), Christians in the constituency are now being courted more aggressively than ever, in what is emerging as a test case for shifting communal and political dynamics in the state. With close to 40,000 voters, Christians account for nearly 11% of the electorate in Nilambur. They comprises mostly migrant highland farmers and their families — about 14,000 Syro-Malabar Catholics, 9,000 Orthodox Christians, 6,000 Marthomites, 4,000 Malankara Catholics, and smaller groups belonging to Latin Catholic, Jacobite, CSI and Pentecostal churches. Historically, this bloc has leaned heavily towards the Congress and the UDF, especially during the tenure of former MLA and veteran leader Aryadan Muhammed. However, the last two elections have indicated a shift — with 1,000 to 2,000 voters reportedly backing LDF-backed Independent candidate P V Anvar. Now, this bypoll comes against the backdrop of growing uneasiness between Christian and Muslim communities in Kerala, a divide that the BJP-led NDA is seeking to exploit. The UDF's alliance with the Welfare Party, linked to the radical Jamaat-e-Islami, has also triggered concerns among Christian organisations. The Catholic Congress (Thamarassery diocese) recently issued a pointed statement cautioning the Congress over its choice of allies. 'This was not a message to influence votes, but a public warning,' clarified Dr Chacko Kalamparambil, president of the Thamarassery unit. 'Political parties must disown the whitewashing of religious extremism. We also strongly condemn the leader of opposition's remarks equating Catholic Congress with CASA.' The remarks stirred a debate, but Congress leadership remains unfazed. KPCC president Sunny Joseph dismissed the controversy, stating, 'The Catholic Congress statement came from the Thamarassery unit, while Nilambur falls under the Mananthavady diocese. We do not believe it will have any significant impact here. Our organisational presence among Christian farmers in Nilambur remains strong.'
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Congress in damage control mode over Satheesan's Jamaat remarks
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As leader of opposition V D Satheesan's attempt to 'whitewash' Jamaat-e-Islami, backfired politically in Nilambur, the Congress has started damage control efforts. KPCC president Sunny Joseph has met powerful Muslim and Christian leaders in this regard. The move comes days before the visit of Congress general secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi to Nilambur which is part of her LS constituency. Sunny Joseph, who is close to Thamarassery Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil, met the latter on Friday. The meeting came after the Catholic Congress under the powerful Thamarassery Diocese issued a strong statement against Congress - Welfare Party tie-up. The KPCC chief reportedly clarified the party's stand to the bishop. He also sought the Church's support. According to sources close to the Church, Sunny Joseph held talks with Catholic Congress leaders. The KPCC president also met Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, the president of Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulama, on Thursday. There is criticism among UDF partners that the opposition leader's 'certificate' to the Jamaat-e-Islami was an unwanted one. They are of the view that it gave both the CPM and BJP a political weapon which could have a far-reaching effect even in national politics. 'There is still suspicion over the controversial stand of Jamaat on Indian democracy, religious state and Constitution,' a Congress PAC member told TNIE. 'It is no surprise that almost all prominent Muslim community organisations including Samastha Kerala Jem-Iyyathul Ulma, and Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, and the Catholic Congress, a lay organisation of Syro-Malabar Catholics of Thamarassery Diocese, had come out strongly against the Jamaat-e-Islami- Congress alleged tie-up,' he added. The Congress-UDF leadership has decided not to entertain questions about Jamaat-e-Islami, Welfare Party and Congress 'tie-up'. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal's attempt to evade questions about the controversy, and senior leader K Muraleedharan playing down the issue are seen as part of this strategy. The party has decided to focus on the governance of the LDF government. There is also apprehension that though Venugopal's attack against CM's alleged anti- Malappuram remark was a success, the Jamaat controversy spoiled the edge. 'There are chances that the RSS -BJP may use the Jamaat controversy against the Gandhi family and the Congress in north India,' a senior Congress leader told TNIE. 'As state assembly elections are approaching, we do not want any kind of political debate on that,' he said.
New Indian Express
11-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Catholic Congress slams Congress-Welfare Party tie-up in Nilambur bypoll
KOCHI: The Catholic Congress has strongly criticised the Indian National Congress over its electoral alliance with the Welfare Party in the Nilambur Assembly by-election, calling the move an "open challenge to Kerala's secular democratic traditions" and an example of "opportunistic politics." In a press release issued on Wednesday, the Catholic Congress, a lay organisation of Syro-Malabar Catholics, alleged that the Congress has compromised on core secular values by aligning with a party they claim is ideologically linked to religious fundamentalism. The statement, signed by Catholic Congress Director Fr Mathew Thoommoolil, General Secretary Shaji Kandathil, and President Dr Chacko Kalampparambil, warned that such alliances risk legitimising extremism in mainstream politics.
