Metropolitan Yuhanon Mor Meletius of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP over alleged disruptions of Christmas celebrations in Kerala. His remarks follow PM Modi’s participation in a grand Christmas event hosted by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India in New Delhi.
Expressing his concerns on social media, the Metropolitan stated, “Over there, bishops are honoured, and cribs are revered. Here, cribs are destroyed.
The comments were in reference to incidents in Palakkad district, where Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists allegedly disrupted school Christmas events. Reports mention a symbolic crib destroyed by unidentified individuals at a school in Nallamangalam .
The Communist Party of India (CPI) also slammed the Prime Minister, calling his participation in Delhi’s celebrations “political hypocrisy.” CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam remarked, “While the PM spoke of Christ’s love in Delhi, his sangh bandhus were disrupting Christmas celebrations in Kerala” .
Reacting to these incidents, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the disruptions, urging people to unite against communal forces attempting to sow division .
The controversy has sparked a nationwide debate on religious tolerance, questioning the gap between national leadership’s inclusive messaging and grassroots actions by affiliated groups.
