Remarks by senior Congress official P. Chidambaram on Catholic Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt, who recently made the controversial statement on love and narcotic jihad, put the Congress party in Kerala in a difficult position on Sunday, the KPCC seeking to distance itself from the veteran’s statement.

explained | Bishop of Pala’s words are all the rage

The Catholic community, which is a major congressional support base in Kerala, has been unhappy with the party following initial criticism of Kallarangatt from its heads of state, including opposition leader V.DD Satheesan .

Sensing the danger, the party has recently tried to resolve issues with the church, and state leaders have taken the initiative to reach out to influential clergy.

Mr. Chidambaram On September 26, 2021, Pala Bishop’s remark on “narcotic jihad” reveals “distorted thinking” and the intention was to “provoke” mistrust and communal conflict between religions.

Mr. Chidambaram, a member of the Rajya Sabha, said that “the jihad of love” was a monster “invented” by the Hindu radical right to “terrorize” young men and women. A secular nation must eradicate such fanaticism, whether expressed in word or deed or through subtle means of discrimination, he said.

The Bishop of Pala said Christian girls fell prey to what he claimed to be “love and narcotic jihad” in Kerala and that wherever weapons cannot be used, extremists used such methods to destroy the young.

“The jihad of love was a monster invented by the radical Hindu right to terrorize young men and women. Narcotic jihad is the new monster, and it pains me and millions of Indians who an ordained bishop, Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt of Pala, is the author.

While ‘love’ and ‘narcotics’ are real, attaching the word jihad to love (a natural human emotion) and narcotics (analgesia and an addictive drug) reveals distorted thinking, ”Chidambaram said in an article published on the website of a national daily.

‘No proof’

He said there was no evidence that Islam was “expansionist” in India and that “the mass conversion to Islam is a lie”.

“The intention is clear. It is a question of provoking mistrust and communal conflict between the followers of a religion (Hinduism or Christianity) on the one hand and Islam on the other. The other and Muslims are the other people for the fanatics. A secular nation must eradicate such fanaticism, whether expressed in word or deed or through subtle means of discrimination, “said the former minister of ‘Union.

In his article, Mr. Chidambaram praised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, saying “he read the riot act to the bishop” and also said he was “happy that the chief opposition leader MVD Satheesan supported the CM’s statement that the government is ruthless against those who propagate such false theories. However, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) distanced itself from Chidambaram’s statements and said it would have been appropriate for the state unit to address such issues in the state.

“We do not know on what basis Chidambaram made such remarks. We have not contacted him. This is something that has happened in Kerala and it is the state congress party that should comment. these questions.

We have no responsibility to comment on something someone has said somewhere, ”KPCC chief K. Sudhakaran told media here when asked about Mr. Chidambaram’s article.

Mr Chidambaram also attacked the BJP which had supported the bishop in his controversial remarks and said that those who speak maliciously about the jihad of narcotics should think about the unprecedented transport of 3,000 kg of heroin which has been attempted to be “imported” through a port in Gujarat.

“Those who speak maliciously about the jihad of narcotics should wonder about the unprecedented capture of 3,000 kg of heroin (or three tonnes!) That no one would have dared to ‘import’ such a huge quantity unless he / she (a couple – not Muslims – was apprehended) did not enjoy official patronage at a high enough level, ”Mr. Chidambaram said.

He called on the prime minister and the interior minister to disapprove of discussions on jihad, love or drugs.

“They are also expected to comment on the seizure of 3,000 kg of heroin. These are problems which have serious consequences for the internal security and social harmony of the country,” Chidambaram added.

Mr. Vijayan had categorically rejected on September 21 the remarks made by the bishop, affirming that the southern state was a solid ground of secularism and that the company would take a firm stand against those who try to upset it.

Mr Satheesan also criticized Pala Bishop’s statement and said the statement went beyond the bounds.