Friendly moves for four votes: Kerala CM slams BJP's Christian outreach drives, cites Manipur violence

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Cabinet colleague Saji Cherian have criticised the recent meeting of various church heads with Prime Minister Narendra Modi by referring to the Manipur violence.

While Cherian openly criticised the church heads for remaining silent on the Manipur issue, Vijayan accused the BJP of playing vote bank politics. A ridiculing statement of Cherian had also invited sharp reactions from various churches.

Vijayan said at a public meeting that those who remained as mute spectators of the violence towards a section and did not take any actions were now making some friendly moves. Such moves aimed at vote bank would not work as the intentions were clear, he said without specifically mentioning PM's meeting.

Cherian accused the church heads of remaining silent on the Manipur issue during the meeting at PM's residence. He ridiculed that some church heads enjoyed grape wine and cake but forgot to raise the Manipur issue. He also added that some bishops would feel excited on getting invitations from BJP leaders.

Strongly reacting to Cherian's remarks, Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council spokesperson Jacob Palackapilly said that those holding high positions should be respecting people even while criticising.

He also said that the PM invited the church heads on Christmas and criticism should not be raised at such a meet, especially when the former was appreciating the services of the churches.

He also added that the Christian churches had already reacted strongly on the Manipur issue on various occasions.