"Kerala will not accept it": Ramesh Chennithala’s scathing critique of BJP

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala stated that insulting a Catholic mouthpiece and attacking bishops is never appropriate and is, in fact, unfortunate. He noted that the atrocities committed by the BJP against Christians in northern Indian states are well known, pointing out a pattern where cakes are distributed during Christmas while the BJP and the Sangh Parivar simultaneously attack Christian communities. He emphasised that the BJP should not labour under the misconception that it can control the Christian community in Kerala through intimidation, as this is something the public will not accept.

He further asserted that secular believers in Kerala will undoubtedly stand united to resist such threats. He reminded the public that the Kanjirappally and Pala dioceses are established institutions with a responsibility to express opinions and guide their believers. In a democracy, everyone possesses the freedom of speech and the right to vote according to their conscience.

Chennithala demanded that if the BJP leadership has no role in these critical remarks, they must officially reject them. He noted that individuals in responsible positions within the BJP are the ones who have strongly criticised the Kanjirappally and Pala dioceses and the Deepika newspaper. He described the attempt to bring "North Indian diseases" of political intimidation to Kerala as unacceptable.

The Congress leader questioned whether the BJP truly believes it can destabilise the Christian community through such laws and tactics, stating firmly that a politics of threats will only lead to the BJP's isolation in the state. Finally, he expressed confidence in a favourable wave for the UDF in Kerala, suggesting the coalition could come to power with a significant majority based on his observations while travelling through all constituencies over the last few months.