THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary M V Govindan’s sharp criticism of certain Church leaders for ignoring violent attacks against Christians by Hindu right-wing organisations has triggered a heated exchange of words between the Left leaders and the Christian group.Govindan, the other day, condemned Thalassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany for his inconsistent stance on the Hindu right-wing outfits’ attacks on Christians. When two nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and conversion, and Bajrang Dal hounded them, the Bishop was vocal in condemning these outfits for targeting minorities.The arrests led to widespread protests in Kerala, with delegations of political parties travelling to Chhattisgarh to support the nuns, who ultimately got bail.Govindan said soon after the release of the nuns, Pamplany was full of praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, acknowledging their intervention in the case. Some members of the Church even brought cakes to the RSS office in Kannur in celebration.The CPM state secretary pointed out the opportunism displayed by Church leaders would not benefit secularism, democracy or minority rights.Previously, the CPM’s youth wing DYFI criticised Bishop Pamplany, reminding him of Martin Neimoller, a German Protestant pastor and self-proclaimed anti-Semite who supported Adolf Hitler, only to be imprisoned by the Nazis after having served their interests.Bishop Pamplany’s public expression of gratitude towards the BJP-led central government regarding the nuns’ case has drawn significant criticism throughout Kerala. He had previously caused controversy by suggesting the BJP could win a parliamentary seat if the Central Government increased the rubber floor price to Rs 300 per kg.Thalassery Archdiocese hits back at GovindanIn response, the Thalassery Archdiocese has criticised Govindan, calling his statement against Pamplany “second-rate.” The archdiocese stated that Pamplany had thanked parties across the political spectrum, including the central government, for their respective interventions to ensure justice for the nuns. It condemned Govindan’s statement as opportunistic and accused him of revealing the party secretary’s “fascist nature”.The archdiocese claimed Govindan misrepresented the Bishop’s words to put the Chief Minister and the CPI(M) on the defensive.
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