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Thrissur, Nov 6 (IANS) Archbishop Mar Andrews Thajath, head of Thrissur Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, said on Thursday, “In North India, the Christian Church is being wrongly portrayed as foreign. But Christianity in India has existed for more than 2,000 years. It is inherently Indian, not foreign.”
St. Thomas, one of the 12 apostles of Lord Jesus, arrived in Kerala around 52 AD, established the first church there and made India one of the first countries to adopt Christianity. He traveled throughout the subcontinent and reached present-day Chennai, where he was martyred on St. Thomas Mount in 72 AD. The community he founded is one of the oldest Christian communities in the world and has a unique history and identity.
Warning that continued neglect of Christian rights could lead to fresh mass protests in Kerala, Archbishop Thazath said the Christian community faces increasing discrimination and marginalization in the state, especially in education and public representation.
He said, “Christians should not be sidelined by depriving them of the rights and representation given to minorities. If this continues, we will be forced to take a strong political stand in the coming elections.”
Recalling its earlier movements against injustice in Kerala’s political history, Archbishop Thazath said the Church may be forced into a ‘second liberation struggle’.
“The Church has always fought strongly whenever there has been discrimination. We are requesting the government not to push us into any more such conflicts,” he warned.
He announced that these issues would be discussed in detail in the upcoming community awareness conference organized by the church.
“If we are ignored, we will respond in the same manner and the same approach will be seen in the local body and assembly elections,” he said, adding that the church has not yet declared any political stand.
Expressing concern that Christians across India are facing hostility and attacks under the cover of anti-conversion laws, the Archbishop said he had personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express these concerns.
“The Christian community is in danger and the Constitution must be upheld,” he said.
Archbishop Thazath also pointed to the growing crisis facing Christian-run educational institutions in Kerala.
Questioning why a Christian has not been appointed as the Chairman of the Kerala State Minorities Commission, he demanded immediate implementation of the Justice JB Kosi Commission report.
He criticized the state education department for delaying teacher appointments and accused the government of showing favoritism in its dealings with minority institutions.
“Supporting some religions and opposing others is against the spirit of the Constitution,” he said. He reiterated that the Church will stand firmly in defense of minority rights.
–IANS
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