Kannur: "Lies must never be written into law, and justice must not bend at the altar of political convenience," thundered Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Thalassery, as he launched a scathing critique of growing authoritarianism and the wrongful arrest of two Catholic nuns in Chhattisgarh. The Archbishop was addressing a protest march organized by the Catholic Congress under the Vayattuparamba Forona, where hundreds gathered with fiery slogans and unwavering resolve.
The Archbishop's speech cut deep into the heart of India’s current socio-political climate. "Those who hunt with the hunter and run with the prey cannot be trusted," he warned, calling out opportunists who oscillate between power and principle. His words came as a clarion call to awaken the conscience of a nation witnessing a dangerous drift towards the criminalization of Christian missionary work under the pretext of conversion laws.
Referring to the arrest of the nuns who had taken two adults to Agra, Archbishop Pamplany questioned the hysteria being created around what appears to be a lawful journey. “Is taking someone to another city now a crime? The NIA should probe the frenzy of those who claim to be protectors of law but behave as if they are above it,” he said. He criticized those exploiting state machinery, emboldened by political patronage, stating that some elements act as if the law does not apply to them.
He further decried the hypocrisy in treatment. “Thousands from Chhattisgarh have come to Kerala and work peacefully. Has anyone stopped them? Then why this persecution when Keralite sisters work there?” he asked. What was once a country proud of its unity in diversity, he lamented, is now witnessing the emergence of a narrative that categorizes certain groups as 'others' as threats to a uniform national identity.
"The bureaucracy has become merciless. Under the mask of anti-conversion laws, a space once defined by Hindu-Christian tolerance is being poisoned by hatred," he warned. Drawing parallels with the communal violence in Manipur, he said, “What is happening in Chhattisgarh is not an isolated incident. It’s part of a disturbing trend that now defines the experience of minorities in several Indian states.”
To the media, Archbishop Pamplany emphasized that denying bail to the nuns by invoking sections related to human trafficking is not just unjust, but a severe misuse of legal provisions. “These are adults with freedom of movement. To label their travel as trafficking is nothing short of slander. This is a moment of national shame,” he said, adding that even though political leaders have been making calls and promising action, their words remain hollow and unfulfilled.
“This is not about politics; this is about the Constitution,” he asserted firmly. Pamplany clarified that his stance is neither pro nor anti any political party. Rather, it is rooted in his duty to stand for truth and the rights of the persecuted. Referring to visuals from Chhattisgarh, he accused fringe groups of running police stations and deciding the course of justice. “Anti-social forces are registering cases based on suspicion and ensuring innocent people end up behind bars,” he lamented.
In a biting commentary on the ruling party’s selective outreach, Archbishop Pamplany quipped, “No one has come to my palace with cakes and laddus,” alluding to the BJP’s much-publicized Christmas gestures in past years, where party leaders visited Christian bishops with festive gifts. “These are not moments for sweet diplomacy. This is a time to act,” he declared.
The march in Karuvanchal reverberated with slogans like “No cakes, no laddus,” symbolizing the frustration of the Christian community with superficial appeasement from political quarters. Raised prominently during the rally organized by the Catholic Congress, the slogan was a direct jibe at the BJP’s festive overtures that have done little to prevent anti-minority violence.
Although many protestors directly criticized the Sangh Parivar and its ideology, Archbishop Pamplany maintained a neutral stance, refusing to personalize or politicize the issue. His message was clear: the concern goes beyond party lines. It strikes at the very core of Indian democracy and religious liberty.
The events of the day, marked by strong turnout and strong words, encapsulate a growing unrest among India’s Christian communities. As the government remains tight-lipped, voices like Archbishop Pamplany’s grow louder, insisting that the time for symbolic gestures is over and the time for truth, justice, and constitutional integrity is now.