Three chapels attacked, Christian procession objected by radicals in Kerala

To block a Catholic procession not to pass through a Hindu temple in Kerala, a pro-Hindu outfit has protested and called for a dawn-to-dusk shut down in Trissur district of Kerala Monday even though church leaders had taken permission from the temple authorities.

The procession was in connection with the feast of St Sebastian at Saint Antony's Catholic Church at nearby Murkanad.

According to Global Council of Indian Christian (GCIC) website, Church authorities said they had taken permission from the temple authorities to let the procession pass through the temple and that it was the practice for several years. The parish comes under Trichur Syro-Malabar archdiocese.

When the Hindu activists blocked the procession at the temple premises, the police forcibly cleared the way for the procession. Four Hindu activists suffered minor injuries in the police action. The police also took into custody 22 others.
The outfit claimed they had the temple authorities' order cancelling the earlier one and so had objected to the procession and alleged the police were not willing to accept this.Police said they allowed the procession to pass through the temple premises on the strength of the order of the temple authorities.

Meanwhile, three chapels under Irinjalakuda diocese were damaged late last night allegedly by the activists reportedly as a fallout of the police action.
Earlier a section of the activists had blocked the church's 'Way of Cross' procession on April 11 and recited Hindu hymns without any provocation.
Irinjalakuda diocesan spokesman Fr Joju Kutikad said complaints had been lodged with the respective police stations.

Police said a peaceful atmosphere prevails over Moorkanad area and situation is under control, the Business Standard reported.