In a recent turn of events, Father Shaiju Kurian, a Christian priest from Kerala, faced repercussions within the Church after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kurian, along with 47 Christian families, embraced the BJP during a Christmas celebration organized by the Pathanamthitta district committee of the party. After expressing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s developmental initiatives, the priest found himself at the center of a controversy that raised questions about the intersection of politics and religion in the region.
Soon after Kurian’s affiliation with the BJP, the Malankara Orthodox Church, a significant non-Catholic segment in Kerala, initiated a probe into various complaints against the priest. The Orthodox Church, in an official release, acknowledged receiving complaints from diocesan members and decided to appoint a commission to investigate these grievances within a two-month timeframe. During this period, Father Shaiju Kurian was divested of all his official responsibilities, including his role as the diocesan secretary.
Allegations and Counterclaims:
Subsequent to Kurian’s political shift, another priest, Father Mathews Vazhakunnam, publicly alleged misconduct against him during a television channel debate. However, Church sources downplayed the severity of the complaints, emphasizing that they were not of a serious nature. Notably, Vazhakunnam’s political inclinations, particularly his pro-CPI(M) stance, raised eyebrows, given his previous role as a director of the state-run Minority Development Finance Corporation during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
Political Implications and Christian Bias:
In analyzing this situation, it’s essential to consider the political landscape of Kerala, where the Christian community has traditionally been associated with parties other than the BJP. The Nilackal diocese, to which Kurian belongs, falls under the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency, an area where the BJP has been striving to gain support from Christian voters. The question arises: Is the historical bias against the BJP hindering the development of the region, and how does the party’s track record in other parts of the country play into this narrative?
The BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has championed various developmental initiatives across the country. From infrastructure projects to economic reforms, the party has sought to usher in transformative changes. However, it appears that in regions like Kerala, historical political affiliations and perceptions might impede the acceptance of the BJP’s developmental agenda. Despite the party’s successes in different states, the challenge of winning over Christian voters in Kerala remains.
Christians in Kerala face challenges such as Islamic terrorism, and despite BJP’s focus on development, there’s a perception that the party conflicts with their ideologies. BJP President JP Nadda emphasized the discomfort over demographic changes and narcotic jihad, urging a reconsideration of political affiliations. While having political opinions is not wrong, being blindly biased against a party and discriminating everyone who decides to support it shows the hurdles within the community.
Read More: Christians in Kerala need to vote for the BJP or their doomsday won’t be late
The BJP’s Unsuccessful Bid in Pathanamthitta:
The Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency serves as a microcosm of this larger challenge faced by the BJP in Kerala. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s state president, K Surendran, contested from this constituency, but the party did not secure a victory. The question arises: Did the historical bias against the BJP influence the electoral outcome, and is the reluctance of some Christian voters to embrace the saffron party?
Church’s Stand on Political Affiliation:
Crucially, the Orthodox Church’s official stance emphasizes that Father Shaiju Kurian’s removal from his roles was not solely due to his affiliation with the BJP. The Church claims to have refrained from taking a stand on priests joining political parties, indicating that the action taken against Kurian was based on the specific complaints received. However, the Church’s cautious approach raises the broader question of whether political affiliations of priests should impact their ecclesiastical responsibilities.
Allegations and the Timing of their Emergence:
The emergence of allegations against Father Shaiju Kurian and the subsequent debate on a television channel, featuring Father Mathews Vazhakunnam, adds a layer of complexity to the situation. The Church, in its official release, expressed a desire to seek an explanation from Vazhakunnam on why he chose to raise the allegations in a public forum rather than bringing them to the notice of the Church. This prompts an exploration of whether there are underlying motives at play beyond the apparent misconduct allegations.
The case of Father Shaiju Kurian’s affiliation with the BJP and the subsequent actions taken by the Church unveils a multifaceted narrative that intertwines religion and politics. While the BJP continues its efforts to expand its base in regions traditionally less receptive to its ideology, the challenges posed by historical biases and perceptions persist. The Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency serves as a critical battleground, reflecting the broader struggle between religious affiliations and the political aspirations of the region. Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial for fostering inclusive growth and bridging the divide between political ideologies and the diverse communities they aim to serve.
In a recent turn of events, Father Shaiju Kurian, a Christian priest from Kerala, faced repercussions within the Church after joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Kurian, along with 47 Christian families, embraced the BJP during a Christmas celebration organized by the Pathanamthitta district committee of the party. After expressing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s developmental initiatives, the priest found himself at the center of a controversy that raised questions about the intersection of politics and religion in the region.
Soon after Kurian’s affiliation with the BJP, the Malankara Orthodox Church, a significant non-Catholic segment in Kerala, initiated a probe into various complaints against the priest. The Orthodox Church, in an official release, acknowledged receiving complaints from diocesan members and decided to appoint a commission to investigate these grievances within a two-month timeframe. During this period, Father Shaiju Kurian was divested of all his official responsibilities, including his role as the diocesan secretary.
Allegations and Counterclaims:
Subsequent to Kurian’s political shift, another priest, Father Mathews Vazhakunnam, publicly alleged misconduct against him during a television channel debate. However, Church sources downplayed the severity of the complaints, emphasizing that they were not of a serious nature. Notably, Vazhakunnam’s political inclinations, particularly his pro-CPI(M) stance, raised eyebrows, given his previous role as a director of the state-run Minority Development Finance Corporation during the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.
Political Implications and Christian Bias:
In analyzing this situation, it’s essential to consider the political landscape of Kerala, where the Christian community has traditionally been associated with parties other than the BJP. The Nilackal diocese, to which Kurian belongs, falls under the Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency, an area where the BJP has been striving to gain support from Christian voters. The question arises: Is the historical bias against the BJP hindering the development of the region, and how does the party’s track record in other parts of the country play into this narrative?
The BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has championed various developmental initiatives across the country. From infrastructure projects to economic reforms, the party has sought to usher in transformative changes. However, it appears that in regions like Kerala, historical political affiliations and perceptions might impede the acceptance of the BJP’s developmental agenda. Despite the party’s successes in different states, the challenge of winning over Christian voters in Kerala remains.
One perspective suggests that the resistance from some sections of the Christian community to align with the BJP stems from a perception that the party does not align with their values or adequately represent their interests. Even after multiple efforts to reconcile, there have been instances where the community has denied peaceful collaboration.
The BJP’s Unsuccessful Bid in Pathanamthitta:
The Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency serves as a microcosm of this larger challenge faced by the BJP in Kerala. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP’s state president, K Surendran, contested from this constituency, but the party did not secure a victory. The question arises: Did the historical bias against the BJP influence the electoral outcome, and is the reluctance of some Christian voters to embrace the party hindering the region’s growth?
Church’s Stand on Political Affiliation:
Crucially, the Orthodox Church’s official stance emphasizes that Father Shaiju Kurian’s removal from his roles was not solely due to his affiliation with the BJP. The Church claims to have refrained from taking a stand on priests joining political parties, indicating that the action taken against Kurian was based on the specific complaints received. However, the Church’s cautious approach raises the broader question of whether political affiliations of priests should impact their ecclesiastical responsibilities.
Allegations and the Timing of their Emergence:
The emergence of allegations against Father Shaiju Kurian and the subsequent debate on a television channel, featuring Father Mathews Vazhakunnam, adds a layer of complexity to the situation. The Church, in its official release, expressed a desire to seek an explanation from Vazhakunnam on why he chose to raise the allegations in a public forum rather than bringing them to the notice of the Church. This prompts an exploration of whether there are underlying motives at play beyond the apparent misconduct allegations.
The case of Father Shaiju Kurian’s affiliation with the BJP and the subsequent actions taken by the Church unveils a multifaceted narrative that intertwines religion, politics, and development. While the BJP continues its efforts to expand its base in regions traditionally less receptive to its ideology, the challenges posed by historical biases and perceptions persist. The Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha constituency serves as a critical battleground, reflecting the broader struggle between political affiliations and the developmental aspirations of the region. Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial for fostering inclusive growth and bridging the divide between political ideologies and the diverse communities they aim to serve.