CPM rejects Saji Cheriyan's 'wine and cake' remark; Church's stand will not get dissolved just because it participated in some banquet, says Jacobite Church

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM has rejected Minister Saji Cheriyan's remark criticizing the Christian religious leaders who attended the dinner hosted at the Prime Minister's official residence. CPM state secretary MV Govindan said that the minister's remark was not the party's opinion but only an expression during the speech.

"The party secretary will say what the party has to say. There is no need for Kerala Congress (M) alone to give its opinion on the issue. The Left Front will give its opinion. The party will examine Saji Cheriyan's remark and take necessary action. Saji Cheriyan's statement is not a timely one. The state secretariat will discuss the matter. CPM is not against any religion or faith. The party will examine if the Bishops faced any difficulties," Govindan said.

Meanwhile, the Jacobite Church too has come out against Minister Saji Cheriyan. Media Commission Chairman Kuriakose Mar Theophilos said that the stance of the Church will not get dissolved just because it attended some banquet.

"We are not seeing the Prime Minister's banquet as politics. The Church attended the Christmas feast hosted by the nation's Prime Minister as part of courtesy. Representatives of the Church had attended the Chief Minister's Christmas feast and the Nava Kerala Sadas. That too was not politics," Kuriakose Mar Theophilos said.

Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Bava also came down heavily on the minister. He said that the remark made by Saji Cheriyan was an irresponsible one. The KCBC said that it would not cooperate with the government untill the minister withdraws his remark.