Kerala Church protests political leader's remarks

A rally was taken out in Thiruvambadi town in Kozhikode district in protest against alleged derogatory remarks made by Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan against Thamarassery Bishop Mar Paul Chittilappally.

Over 20,000 people from 94 parishes and 34 semi–parishes attended the rally.

The agitation led to the closure of four colleges, 11 higher secondary schools, 34 high schools, 44 upper primary schools, 40 lower primary schools and 26 technical schools in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. The institutions remained closed in response to the shutdown call by Christian managements.

However, there has been no reaction yet from the Communist Party following the march of 30,000 people, demanding formal apologies.

The protest was sparked by the CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan when he called the bishop a “wretched creature” for his “lie” and reiterated his view later, saying: “A lie is a lie, and just because it is uttered by a bishop it does not become a holy lie.”

Many politicians including opposition leader Oommen Chandy have also joined the chorus against Vijayan, saying it was against the democratic norms of the country.

Meanwhile, Kerala High Court today ordered notices to the Syro–Malabar Catholic archdiocese of Thamarassery and the Education Department on a petition filed by parents, contending that the Church–sponsored agitation on October 17 was a negation of human rights.