Kochi: In a sharp and impassioned response to the brutal assault on two Malayali priests and nuns in Odisha, CBCI President Mar Andrews Thazhath condemned the attack as not merely an assault on the Christian community but as a direct affront to the Indian Constitution itself. Addressing a press conference in Kochi, the Archbishop called out the ruling government, stating that the responsibility of ensuring every citizen’s safety and religious freedom lies squarely with those in power.
“This is not just an attack on the Church; this is an attack on the spirit and letter of the Constitution of India,” he declared. “The Constitution guarantees every individual the right to believe, practice, and propagate their faith. If people are living in fear because of their religion, then the government has clearly failed in its duty.”
Referring to the recent incident in Odisha, where Bajrang Dal activists allegedly attacked priests and nuns attending a Jubilee celebration, Mar Thazhath revealed that he had spoken directly with the Bishop of Balasore Diocese. “The priests were present only to offer Mass and to take part in a spiritual gathering. They were assaulted under the false pretext of religious conversion and subjected to humiliating abuse,” he said.
The CBCI President emphasized that the Church stands firmly against forced conversions and supports legal safeguards against them. However, he noted with concern that such allegations are often misused as a weapon to target minorities and justify violence. “The attackers are interpreting any peaceful religious activity as conversion. This cannot be tolerated in a secular democracy,” he said.
Mar Thazhath urged both the Central and Odisha state governments to intervene decisively and prevent the rise of hate-based violence. “When action is not taken, impunity grows. And when impunity grows, attacks like these repeat. The government must act now not just with statements, but with accountability and protection.”
With tensions simmering in Odisha and Chhattisgarh after a spate of anti-Christian attacks, the Archbishop's remarks underscore growing concern over religious intolerance and the shrinking space for peaceful coexistence in the country.
“Every citizen regardless of faith must be able to live without fear. That is the promise of our Constitution, and that is the duty of our elected leaders,” he concluded.