Kuravilangad: Pala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt warned against drugs this year again. He was delivering a sermon as part of the eight-day fast at Kuravilangad St. Mary's Church, a prominent pilgrimage centre in Kerala.

Bishop Kallarangatt said that the use of narcotic drugs is on the rise in Kerala and the concerned authorities shall not be complacent in controlling the mafias who are putting our children and youth in danger.

Our forefathers, especially the mothers, observed the eight-day fast to ward off and escape from those who were out there to destroy them. Today, it is imperative that we pray and fast to stop those who are trying to destroy our children and youth, trying to lure them out of sheer commercial interests.

It is a fact that drug mafias operate in our schools and colleges. Prompt action should be taken against the drug lobby and the society should be made aware of this danger. The propagandists of this evil are not ordinary people, they are organized. In his speech, the Bishop gave an indication that the church will react strongly against drugs in the coming days.

The allegations made by Bishop Kallarangatt on the same day last year, on the issues of narcotics and love jihad paved the way for a big debate in the society. Extremist groups protested against his remarks and staged a demonstration in Pala.

Even though some political parties have then criticized him, the Bishop has not only stood firm on his opinion but has given a strong warning against narcotics this year as well.