Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan announced on Tuesday that he is retracting the contentious elements of his speech, specifically those related to "cake and wine," following criticism from various church groups. The remarks in question were directed against bishops who attended the Prime Minister's Christmas program. Cheriyan, a senior leader of the CPI(M) in Kerala, acknowledged the disapproval from the Catholic Church and other Christian groups, particularly concerning his comments about priests present at the Prime Minister's Christmas event in New Delhi on December 25.
Addressing the media, Cheriyan confirmed that he is withdrawing the controversial parts of his speech related to "cake and wine" that had sparked offense among critics. Despite this concession, he maintained his stance on the alleged silence of bishops regarding "violence targeting Christians" in Manipur and other parts of the country during Modi's Christmas program.
During the inauguration of a CPI(M) local committee office in Alappuzha district on Sunday evening, Cheriyan's speech prompted concerns from priests who expressed their displeasure. In response, the minister acknowledged that the mention of wine and cake in his speech may have caused discomfort and took steps to retract those parts.
Cheriyan's decision to withdraw the contentious statement came after the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) declared non-cooperation with the state government until he rectified his remarks. While responding to the criticism, he expressed a personal relationship with all the bishops and clarified that there was no intention to defame them.
However, the minister remained steadfast in adhering to the points he raised about violence in Manipur during the Prime Minister's Christmas program. He emphasized that the event provided an opportune moment to address the issue, and he believed it should have been given greater importance.
Cheriyan's earlier remarks, where he suggested that the attending bishops prioritized enjoying "wine and cake" over addressing the issue of violence against Christians in Manipur, were strongly criticized by a Catholic church spokesperson. The spokesperson emphasized that individuals in high positions should refrain from making such statements.
In his defense, Cheriyan recounted instances of attacks on Christians in BJP-ruled states and alleged an increase in such attacks since 2014. He accused the Prime Minister of not addressing the riot-hit areas or making a statement in Parliament on the Manipur issue. Additionally, he asserted that there is an attempt to promote "Hindutva communalism" by unleashing attacks and propaganda against minorities.
Citing data from the United Christian Forum, Cheriyan highlighted approximately 700 communal attacks against Christians in the country last year, with a significant number occurring in states governed by the BJP. The CPI(M) leader's verbal assault against the bishops came in the wake of BJP-initiated Christian outreach programs in Kerala ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. State Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also criticized the BJP for violence in Manipur targeting the minority community. He insinuated that the Prime Minister's friendly gestures during the Christmas program were merely political moves aimed at garnering votes.
