Political, religious leaders warn against rising religious intolerance

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has raised strong concerns over the increasing violence against Christians across the country in recent times. According to him 834 attacks were reported in the past year, indicating a worrisome trend of over two such incidents occurring every day.

Speaking at a reception organised by the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church to felicitate Catholicos Baselios Joseph I, head of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, here on Monday, Mr. Satheesan condemned what he described as “a deliberate pattern of harassment” driven by certain communal groups

Referring to the controversial arrest of two Keralite nuns in Chhattisgarh, he said such instances are not isolated, but part of a growing and deeply worrying trend. “We must stand united to counter such tendencies that threaten the very fabric of our democracy,” he asserted.

Inaugurating the programme, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine also termed the charges framed against the nuns as unfounded.

“There was no human trafficking or forced conversion as alleged. These missionaries dedicate their lives to educating the poor, caring for leprosy patients and serving the needy across communities. Their work must not be distorted or vilified,” he added, urging both the Chhattisgarh government and the Centre to withdraw the cases.

In his reply speech, the Catholicos warned against actions that could tear at the nation’s social fabric.

“No religious scripture teaches hatred or violence. Religions must never become tools of division. We cannot judge an entire faith by the regressive acts of a few,” he said.

He also urged self-reflection across all faiths, including his own community, to ensure actions align with moral and spiritual teachings.

Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council president and Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Archbishop Cardinal Baselios Cleemis; Archbishop Thomas J. Netto of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram; Metropolitan Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil of the Syro-Malabar Archeparchy of Changanassery; Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church; Santhigiri Ashram general secretary Swami Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi; and Palayam Imam V.P. Suhaib Moulavi also took part in the programme.