Narco jihad related to Afghanistan, 'death trade' taking place in Kerala as well; Syro Malabar Church supports Pala Bishop

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Syro Malabar Church has come out in support of Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt in the narcotic jihad controversy. The church alleged that there was a deliberate attempt to isolate and attack the bishop. It said that deliberate attempts are being made to initiate action against the bishop even after realising the good intent of his statement. The church also said that it would stand by the bishop if such attempts are continuously made against the bishop.

Those who turned the bishop's speech into a controversy ignored the seriousness of the issue he raised. Pala bishop delivered a sermon for the believers of the church, not for the general public. Some political leaders portrayed the speech as an issue between two religions. Mar Kallarangatt's speech was given communal labels. The Syro-Malabar Church also demanded an effective inquiry into anti-social activities that destroy the goodness and peace of society.

The term 'narco jihad' was used by the European Foundation for South Asian Studies in connection with the drug trade in Afghanistan. The above documents support the fact that terrorist organizations have been indulged in the drug trade. On Tuesday, a total of 3,000 kg of drugs worth Rs 21,000 crore smuggled from Afghanistan was seized from Gujarat yesterday. The national media reported that it was the biggest drug bust in the history of India. Religious communities and organizations in Kerala are hostile to such anti-social activities. At the same time, it is a fact that this 'death trade' is taking place dangerously in Kerala society as well. The bishop issued a warning against this.