BJP throws its weight behind the prelate, CPI (M), Cong. warns against divisive speech.
The "warning" sermon by the Bishop of Pala, Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangattu, on the use of narcotic drugs by radical Islamists to corrupt young Catholics and non-Muslims has muddied Kerala politics.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Congress, the CPI (M) and the CPI have warned that the bishop's speech on 'narcotic jihad' against non-Muslims by Islamists could lethally polarize society Kerala's predominantly secular religious groups distrust each other. .
However, the Democratic Left Front (LDF) seemed taken by surprise when the leader of the Kerala Congress (M) and president of the Kottayam district panchayat, Nirmala Jimmy, publicly supported the bishop's opinion. His statement contradicted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's rejection of the specter of 'narcotic jihad' on Friday. (KC (M) is an ally of LDF).
In Thiruvananthapuram, the Union Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, supported the bishop with the support of the Center. He said Indian politics had changed dramatically since 2010, when the jihadist attack on Newman College professor TJ Joseph for blasphemy sparked a silent response.
Muraleedharan urged the moderates of the Muslim community to support the bishop. He criticized the CPI (M) and Congress for indirectly supporting the jihadists by condemning Mar Joseph. The BJP would not allow the parties to punish the prelate for professing the truth, he said.
CPI Secretary of State Kanam Rajendran said spiritual leaders should not give credence to the divisive political agenda of the Sangh Parivar.
The controversial speech from the pulpit has also sparked a fierce debate about the fine line between free speech and hate speech. State police have reportedly flagged a disturbing stream of provocative messages related to the issue on social media.
The government has reportedly asked the police to prosecute people who exceed the limits of freedom of expression to cause enmity between communities.
