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Catholic Bishops' Council likens Munnar cross removal to Babri demolition

  • The Catholic church in Kerala is divided over the Munnar eviction drive.
  • The removal of the cross could have been made with more humility, without hurting sentiments: KCBC
  • The cross should not be place in such places, says former KCBC spokesperson
Catholic Bishops Council likens Munnar cross removal to Babri demolition

 

 

Even though the Catholic Church in Kerala backed the Munnar eviction drive in principle, the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) is not happy with the removal of the cross from the land illegally occupied in Pappathichola near Munnar by Spirit in Jesus, a prayer group. The KCBC equated the removal of the cross to Babri Masjid demolition by Sangh Parivar.

It's not relevant who planted the cross there. But it is still a cross: KCBC spokes person

 

KCBC spokesperson told media that the council was not against the anti- encroachment drive. But the removal of the cross could have been made with more humility, without hurting sentiments. "It's not relevant who planted the cross there. But it is still a cross. The action reminded Babri Masjid demolition, which could have been avoided," he opined.
 

Related: Munnar eviction at 'cross' roads! Is this the end of drive against land mafia?
 

Thamarassery Diocese Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil also criticised the government for 'denigrating the cross.' “We are not against eviction of illegally occupied land. But insulting the cross in the name of the eviction drive cannot be tolerated,” he said.

 

Jesus Christ must be the happiest person to know that the cross was removed:  Geevarghese Mar Coorilos

 

But not all church heads subscribe to this view. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Metropolitan of the Niranom diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, backed the eviction. "The cross in Munnar was the most recent symbol of invasion," he said after enumerating instances of colonial misuse of the cross and the Bible to grab land and to invade. "Jesus Christ must be the happiest person to know that the cross was removed (from Munnar)," he wrote on his Facebook page. "Hats off to Munnar drive. We have a Revenue Minister, at last," he added.

The Cross should not be erected in such places: Paul Thelakkat

 

KCBC former spokesperson Fr. Paul Thelakkat also backed the removal of the cross from illegally occupied land. "I don't support placing cross in occupied land. Cross should not be erected in such places," he said.
 

Related: What happened to probe against mysterious prayer group behind Munnar cross?
 

The CPI assistant secretary Prakash Babu warned against using the cross as a cover to land grab. "The cross is a symbol of supreme sacrifice. It should not be used as a cover for illegal land grab," he said.

 

Meanwhile, the BJP leadership has sought intervention of the Union Govt. in Munnar. "The BJP will not allow land encroachments in the name of religion," state president Kummanam Rajashekharan said. 

 

 

 

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