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Kochi, Nov 5 (IANS) A delegation of bishops from the Syro-Malabar Church met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi and received assurance of full support on issues related to the Church and the Christian community, a day after the Church on Wednesday issued a circular urging its members across Kerala to extend full cooperation to the statewide voter list revision – Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
The development coincided with the online all-party meeting of the state government held on Wednesday evening, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and attended by leaders of all political parties, to discuss the next steps regarding the SIR exercise.
At the end of the meeting, except the BJP, which has no MLA in the 140-member Kerala Assembly, all other political parties gave their consent to seek legal redress by challenging the Election Commission’s SIR process.
In contrast, the Syro-Malabar Church, representing a significant section of Kerala’s Christian population, called on its parishioners to actively assist Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during their home visits and ensure that all forms are correctly filled and submitted.
Instructions issued by Fr. James Kokkavayil, secretary of the Church’s Public Affairs Commission and a member of the Changanassery Archdiocese, asked members nominated after 2002 to keep the documents prescribed by the Election Commission ready for verification.
Given that a large number of church members live abroad, families in Kerala have been urged to ensure that the names of non-resident voters are included in the list and share BLO contact details with them for clarification.
The circular has been distributed through parish networks and WhatsApp groups, emphasizing that participation of every eligible member is important to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the voter list, and directing the faithful to extend all possible assistance to the BLOs.
The Syro-Malabar Church is one of the three major churches in Kerala that owe allegiance to the Pope, and is considered the most influential Catholic church in the state.
Notably, after Tuesday’s meeting in Delhi, Prime Minister Modi mentioned on his social media handle that he had a “wonderful conversation with the leaders of the Syro-Malabar Church”.
–IANS
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