
A prominent Catholic newspaper in Kerala has condemned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s treatment of Christians across India, accusing the party of contradictory policies as it seeks to win over the southern state’s influential Christian community.
Deepika, the Malayalam daily representing the Catholic Church in Kerala, published a scathing critique on Monday, 14 July, titled “Applauding the hunter while patting the prey?” The piece accused the BJP of maintaining “studied silence” on rising Christian persecution whilst courting Church support in Kerala.
The criticism came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on 12 July during his Kerala visit that the BJP would form the state government following the 2026 assembly elections. The party currently holds no seats in the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly, having won one in 2016 but none in 2021.
Christians constitute approximately 18 percent of Kerala’s 33 million residents, wielding considerable political influence in certain constituencies. This contrasts sharply with northern states, where they represent less than one percent of the population.
The newspaper highlighted what it described as the party’s contradictory approach across different regions. Where Christians hold political sway, such as in Kerala and Goa, BJP leaders present themselves as community allies. However, the party enables persecution in other states, the publication argued.
Recent events in Maharashtra drew particular attention. BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar announced cash rewards between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 11 lakh for attacks on Catholic priests and missionaries. The state’s Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, also from the BJP, revealed plans for strict anti-conversion legislation and declared that all “illegal” churches would be demolished within six months.
The piece quoted concerns that Christians in Maharashtra now live “in deep fear and anxiety,” noting that such circumstances were unprecedented in the state’s Christian history dating back to 1321. Deepika questioned what irregularities the BJP government was finding in long-established institutions, highlighting that the Bombay Archdiocese was founded in 1886 and is now in its 140th year.
Statistics from the United Christian Forum revealed a sharp escalation in anti-Christian violence since the BJP assumed power in 2014. The decade from 2014 to 2024 witnessed 4,316 incidents of violence against Christians. The 2024 figure alone reached 834 attacks, a dramatic increase from 127 incidents recorded in 2014 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi first took office. The sources noted that numerous arrests and FIRs were filed under allegations of forced religious conversion, despite existing laws already addressing such matters.
Deepika characterised the BJP’s stance as “deeply humiliating” and accused the party of “stoking communal tensions and anti-minority sentiment for political gain.” It questioned the sudden scrutiny of established Christian institutions, citing the Kalyan Diocese’s three-decade operation without previous allegations. The daily also emphasised that “unauthorised church construction is not part of the Catholic Church’s agenda.”
Political analyst Suresh Kumar P.C. described the critique as “a major setback to BJP’s Christian outreach programs” in Kerala. He noted that party leaders at state and national levels were working intensively to secure Christian backing.
Kumar also observed that Catholic bishops in Kerala had been reluctant to criticise the Christian casualties in Manipur state, fearing it might antagonise the BJP government there. The ethnic violence in Manipur began two years ago and resulted in 260 deaths, predominantly Christians. The reluctance highlighted the broader challenges faced by Christian leaders in addressing persecution whilst maintaining political relationships.
Deepika concluded by demanding clarity from the BJP on its minority policies, asking: “What benefit does the BJP expect to gain by instilling fear in Christians, who are an absolute minority in the country?” It stated: “Before seeking the support of the Christian community, the BJP must first end its double standards and bring clarity to its stance on minorities.”