KOTTAYAM: Even as the BJP is making all-out efforts to widen its base in Kerala by reaching out to Christian communities, a statement from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (MOSC), expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not sending ministerial representative to the installation of the Jacobite Catholicos in Lebanon, has sparked speculation about another Christian sect potentially aligning with the BJP, following in the footsteps of the Syro-Malabar Church.
In a statement the other day, Youhanon Mar Diascoros, head of the Church’s media wing, thanked the Narendra Modi government for refraining from sending any Union ministers to the ordination of Malankara Metropolitan Mor Gregorios Joseph as the new Catholicos of the Jacobite Syrian Church by the Patriarch of Antioch two days ago.
“The Malankara Orthodox Church voiced concerns not against ordination, but rather exposed the attempt to subvert Indian laws from a foreign country. The Church highlighted the inappropriate nature of Indian citizens, including those who have sworn in under the Constitution, participating in such an event. We express our gratitude to the Narendra Modi government for upholding the high constitutional values of India by refraining from sending central ministers to the ceremony,” he said.
The statement assumes importance in light of reports indicating growing discontent within the Orthodox community regarding the perceived lack of support from both the ruling coalition and the Opposition in its disputes with the Jacobite sect. The Orthodox community’s active engagement with social media posts advocating for a political stance reflects a shift in sentiments within the Church towards a more assertive political engagement.
“One of such FB posts that strongly criticised both the coalition in the state garnered a lot of comments in favour of BJP. Moreover, several BJP leaders like P S Sreedharan Pillai, maintain positive relationships with the Orthodox Church. Furthermore, BJP leaders consider Orthodox Church as an Indian Church,” said a person associated with the Orthodox leadership.
The Church is also of the view that it never faced any challenges from BJP in north Indian states.