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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Eyeing political revival, Catholic Church steps up farmer protest ahead of local body elections
In line with its plans for a political resurgence ahead of the upcoming local body elections, the Catholic Church is stepping up its campaign against what it sees as the Left Democratic Front government's apathy towards farmers in central Travancore. All organisations and institutions under the Archdiocese of Changanassery of the Syro-Malabar Church will take part in a massive demonstration to be organised by the All Kerala Catholic Congress (AKCC), the official lay organisation of the Church, at Mankombu in Kuttanad. The event, scheduled for August 17, when the State celebrates Farmers' Day, is being staged as a follow-up to the 'Nasrani Sangamam' (Christian Meet) held in February this year. Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil, head of the Changanassery archdiocese, will lead the day-long demonstration. 'Though tens of thousands participated in the Nasrani Sangamam, no meaningful action has been taken by the government so far. It is in this context that a protest is being organised in Kuttanad, which will also involve submitting petitions and a mass memorandum to both the Union and State governments,' said AKCC president Biju Sebastian. The protest will see participation from all priests, members of the Pastoral Council, the Vigilance Committee, office-bearers from archdiocesan and forane churches, and unit-level organisations, as well as farmers, agricultural labourers, and leaders from other communities. Church sources said the demonstration , which demands urgent measures to restore farming and livelihoods in Kuttanad, will coincide with similar protests by the Kothamangalam and Idukki dioceses over continuing farm distress and escalating wildlife attacks. These coordinated actions are seen as part of a broader bid to reclaim the community's diminished public visibility over the past two decades. 'This is indeed an attempt to show that Christians have the strength to rise again,' remarked a senior Church functionary. The latest move assumes significance especially as the Church is finalising a community empowerment action plan aimed at fielding the maximum number of community members in the forthcoming local body elections. The move takes a cue from a recent call by the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), which urged young Christians to step forward and play an active role in politics.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Catholic community charts political comeback in central Travancore
Alarmed by a perceived decline in its presence in mainstream politics, the Catholic community is preparing an action plan to ensure stronger participation in the upcoming elections, particularly in central Travancore. The All Kerala Catholic Congress (AKCC), the official lay organisation of the Syro-Malabar Church, has come up with a community empowerment action plan aimed at fielding the maximum number of community members in the forthcoming local body elections. The move follows a recent call by the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), urging young Christians to actively enter politics. 'There will be no restrictions on our members contesting under any political party,' said AKCC president Biju Sebastian. 'In fact, we have decided to support all those who uphold secular values and lead principled lives. We will stand by those who stand by us,' he added. Safeguard against threats According to Mr. Sebastian, the organisation seeks widespread political participation by community members as a safeguard against growing societal threats including the increasing prevalence of drug abuse. Speaking at a meeting convened by the AKCC on Sunday, Changanassery Bishop Mar Thomas Tharayil echoed this sentiment, calling for 'creative interventions' in the upcoming elections. He urged the faithful to step forward while upholding Christian values. 'A society where so many deaths occur from stray dog attacks is unheard of elsewhere. It's disheartening that stray animals receive more attention than human beings,' the Bishop remarked. 'Wild animals continue to endanger lives and destroy farms. In Kuttanad, people have been living under floodwaters for months. Once manageable, flooding has now become a crisis, primarily due to silt-clogged rivers, streams, and backwaters. All of this reflects the apathy of those in power,' he added. Rebuilding influence According to Church sources, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to counter the declining visibility of Catholics in central Travancore's public and political life. 'There has been a sharp drop in the number of Catholic youth participating in social spaces, primarily due to migration. Yet political parties continue to seek the support of the community. The Church sees this as a chance to rebuild its influence,' said a senior Church official. Recently, the Catholic Church felicitated elected representatives from its community in their respective parishes. In recent times, the Catholic Church has brought a range of issues to the attention of political parties, ranging from wildlife intrusions in high-range settlements to the deepening farm distress. Other concerns raised by the Church include the prolonged freeze on teacher appointments in aided schools and the delay in implementing the recommendations of the J.B. Koshy Commission, which examined the challenges faced by the Christian community in Kerala.
