'Behaviour of CM who referred priest as a wretch remains unchanged': KCC

KOTTAYAM: Kerala Council of Churches (KCC) has condemned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's derogatory comments directed at Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, warning against the dangers of dictatorial tendencies. KCC highlighted that the Chief Minister’s past behaviour, where he once referred to a priest as a wretch, remains unchanged. The council also attributed the Left’s electoral setback to the government’s discriminatory stance towards the Christian community.

In a public statement, the KCC asserted that society must call out a ruler’s faults, and dismissing critics instead of addressing their concerns is a sign of immaturity. The council emphasized the unsustainable conditions for the common man in Kerala and raised several issues, including problems within the health sector.

The KCC attributed the Left's poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections to the government’s biased actions against Christians. Despite submitting a report a year ago detailing the community's challenges, no action has been taken on the recommendations of the Justice JB Kosi Commission report. The KCC, which represents Episcopal Christian churches excluding the Catholic Church, demanded corrective measures from the government. The KCC includes the Jacobite, Orthodox, CSI, Marthoma, Believers and Thozhiyur churches.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Vijayan responded to Geevarghese Mar Coorilos' who criticized the government. He remarked that some among priests are 'empty-headed'. His comments were made during the release of a progress report on the government’s three-year performance. He dismissed Coorilos’ remarks, asserting that Kerala’s united response to past floods showcased a resilience that serves as a global example.

The flood disaster was pivotal in securing a second term for Pinarayi Vijayan’s government. However, Coorilos warned that if the Left fails to heed the electorate’s dissatisfaction, it could face a fate similar to that of Bengal and Tripura, where significant political backlash occurred.

Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, the former chairperson of the Jacobite Church, reaffirmed his stance against the government, maintaining his critique despite the Chief Minister's rebuttal.