Verghese V Joseph –
On the eve of Lok Sabha elections in the southern state of Kerala, the visit of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena to the Syro-Malabar Church headquarters on Wednesday has sparked political speculation.
The LG met with Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, a traditional Syro-Malabar Catholic from Thrissur, where BJP candidate Suresh Gopi is contesting. Saxena also reached out to Major Archbishop Emeritus George Alencherry at St. George Forane Church in Aruvithura, evangelist leader Tangu Brother in Kottayam, Chief Metropolitan of Syriac Knanaya Archdiocese Severios Kuriakose. He later paid a visit to the Believers Eastern Church in Thiruvalla.
This visit comes at a time when Kerala is experiencing a surge of sectarianism, promoted by politicians during the election season.
The Lieutenant Governor, accompanied by a group of senior bureaucrats, was keen to learn about the unique traditions of the Knanaya Syrian community and inquired whether the community, as a religious minority, had faced any challenges in the State. To this, they replied that all communities were living in harmony in the State.
Even though sources associated with the churches denied any connection between the Lieutenant Governor’s visit with the Lok Sabha polls, the timing of his visit could trigger allegations in this regard.
Only the Believers Eastern church had made their political stand open by extending support to BJP Pathanamthitta candidate Anil K Antony, who is the son of Congress senior leader A K Antony. The church had earlier faced a probe by the Federal government’s Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax and huge amounts were reportedly seized.
Even as other churches did not make any direct statements on their support to any political parties, prominent Christian bishops had recently expressed concerns over CAA as well as attacks on Christians in various parts of the country.
Kerala, historically known for its communal harmony, is now facing a narrative suggesting better prospects if it abandons its secular politics, syncretic heritage, and welfare-oriented economics. The Catholic Church, which has played a decisive role in Kerala elections, is gearing up to influence the electoral process once again. The Church’s involvement is driven by concerns over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and growing insecurity among Catholics in Kerala, who fear being targeted after Muslims.
The two leading factions of the Malankara Syrian church, Jacobite and Orthodox, also hold significant influence in central Travancore and can impact the election outcome. The Catholic Church’s public intervention in Kerala politics has sharpened, with leading parties vying to woo the community ahead of the elections. The Church has flexed its political muscle on various issues concerning Central Travancore and the coastal belts.
The timing of the LG’s visit to the Syro-Malabar Church headquarters, just before the Lok Sabha elections, has raised questions about its political implications. The LG’s interactions with religious leaders and interest in understanding the traditions of religious minorities in Kerala suggest an attempt to garner support from these communities.
In this context, I highly recommend reading up on Supreme Court Senior Advocate Santosh Paul’s wonderful blog piece, titled ‘Ente Priyapettu Thrissurekare’ (My Lovely People of Thrissur), in which, he provides a unique socio-economic, cultural, and political context for the upcoming election landscape in Kerala.
In the heart of Kerala lies a remarkable story of diversity, harmony, and progress. Within a 10-kilometer radius of Kodungalur, you’ll find four living symbols of our inclusive syncretic civilization:
- the ancient port of Muziris at Pattanam ((which conducted trade from 1st century BC to 14th century AD with Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and China)
- The landing site of St. Thomas at Azhikode,
- The 7th-century Cheraman Juma Masjid, the oldest mosque in the country.
- The remarkable 1800-year-old Kodungalur Bhagwathi temple.
These sites are a testament to Kerala’s rich history and the celebration of diversity that has fueled its progress.
In addition, Kerala’s success story is deeply rooted in its exceptional socio-economic development model, known as the ‘Kerala growth model,’ which Nobel laureate Amartya Sen took note of in his book ‘India: Economic Development and Social Opportunity’. This model, characterised by high life expectancy, low poverty rates, and impressive human development indices, has garnered international recognition and praise.
Kerala’s communal harmony, fostered by the peaceful coexistence of religions and the transformative messages of religious leaders, has been a cornerstone of its progress. This communal harmony, coupled with dedicated efforts in education and healthcare, has propelled cities like Thrissur to the top of human development indices.
However, amidst Kerala’s success, there are emerging discontents fueled by socio-economic shifts, challenging the state’s social equality and harmony. The onset of elections has brought to light a concerning trend of sectarianism and enmity among communities, driven by certain political factions. The language used in political discourse aims to sow division in a state known for its centuries-long communal harmony, prompting politicians to address and dispel these sentiments.
Drawing parallels with Lebanon’s history, Paul warns against the dangers of myopic sectarian politics that can lead to conflict and economic repercussions. Lebanon’s experience serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the devastating impact of sectarian strife on its economy and social fabric. The aftermath of Lebanon’s civil war underscores the importance of maintaining peace among religions to sustain socio-economic development and prevent the erosion of a region’s preeminent position.
In essence, Kerala stands at a critical juncture where its peace among religions, commitment to social welfare, and communal harmony have been instrumental in its remarkable progress. As the state navigates through the complexities of the upcoming elections and potential challenges posed by sectarian narratives, preserving its unique socio-economic model and communal harmony will be crucial for sustaining its development trajectory and safeguarding its position as a beacon of success in India.
The Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s visit to Kerala churches ahead of the Lok Sabha elections reflects the complex interplay of religion, politics, and community dynamics in the state. The Church’s historical role in shaping Kerala’s political landscape, combined with the current climate of sectarianism and enmity, makes this visit a significant event in the run-up to the elections. The Church’s public intervention on various issues and its efforts to influence the electoral process are indicative of its determination to play a decisive role in shaping Kerala’s political future.
Brilliant piece of analysis of the visibly frantic visit of Delhi’s LG to the religious heads of Kerala s Churches.
It does not behove a LG to make such a visit at a time when political parties are spewing venom at each other, even if the visit is purportedly a ‘courtesy’ gesture. The LG’s visit clearly reveals a desparate and subtle political move to campaign for a political party. I wonder if the LG respects the sanctity of his Office in that he is constitutionally supposed to sever all partisan ties and act impartially.
This is shocking. It would be naive to believe that this was a courtesy or cultural visit. The LG as a constitutional figure has no business meddling in party politics. Shame.
What is the need of our church leaders to give time to LG Delhi who is just a stooge of hindu fanatics behaving as the sole administrator of Delhi?After creating crisis in Delhi he has come to Kerala to create another crisis.