Withdrawing ‘wine and cake’ statement, no change in political stand; bishops should have raised Manipur issue to PM, says Saji Cherian

KOCHI: Minister Saji Cherian said that he is withdrawing the controversial wine and cake statement. The bishops hinted about some of the things that came up in his remarks. The bishops should have raised the Manipur issue with the Prime Minister. In his speech, the minister said the Prime Minister should intervene in the matter and the need to visit the place should have been raised at least out of love. However, Minister Saji Cherian while addressing the media said that he does not intend to change his political stance.

‘Sticking to the political stand. However, some bishops pointed directly and indirectly on some concerns and difficulties on the things that came up in my remarks. Withdrawing the cake and wine statement if it had hurt them. It was not the wine and the cake, raised a big political issue. I am a secularist. It was my personal opinion. Apologize if it had hurt anyone. I have a personal relationship with all bishops.

The stand of criticizing me is not correct. As the minister of culture, I don’t think that what I said is a great sin. Just said the general problem of Kerala and the country. I have no intention to change what I said.

The minority and majority cooperate with each other in Kerala. Many are concerned that what is happening in other states will happen in Kerala tomorrow. The union minister is constantly making statements. Here, the BJP is trying to alienate Muslims and unite Christians.

Bishop Cleemis is very close to me. He asked me to withdraw the portion that hurts. As part of what he said, the wine and cake statement are being withdrawn,' clarified the minister.