Palakkad: In a powerful demonstration of solidarity with the farming community, the Catholic Congress organized a Farmers’ Protest Flame in Vadakkancherry, rallying together members from the Forona committees of Vadakkancherry, Mangalamdam, Melarkode, and Thattamangalam. The event became a platform for voicing the deep-rooted concerns of farmers, who continue to grapple with multiple crises ranging from wildlife threats to financial instability. At the heart of the protest were three core issues uncontrolled wildlife attacks, the burden of unwaived farm loans, and what was described as the deliberate neglect of farmers’ welfare by both the central and state governments.
The protest was inaugurated by Prof. Rajeev Kochuparampil, Global President of the Catholic Congress, who emphasized that agriculture, the backbone of the nation, cannot be left to collapse under the combined pressures of economic hardship and environmental threats. His address underlined that unless timely intervention is made, Kerala’s farmers will be pushed further into debt traps and despair. Diocesan Vice President Jose Vadakkakkara presided over the session, reiterating that farmers should not be reduced to mere vote banks but must be recognized as the true providers of the nation’s food security.
The event drew the participation of several key leaders, each of whom delivered impassioned speeches highlighting various dimensions of the crisis. Dr. Josukutty Oglail, Global General Secretary, pointed out that delays in paying procurement prices for paddy have worsened the plight of farmers who already face rising input costs. Benny Antony and Thomas Antony, Global Vice Presidents, spoke about how the frequent incursions of wild elephants into farmlands have not only destroyed crops but also left many families living in fear. Denny Thengumpalli, Global Secretary, and Jijo Arakkal, Global Working Committee Member, demanded stronger government-backed insurance and compensation mechanisms to ensure that farmers are not left stranded after losses.
The diocesan leadership also made their presence strongly felt. Fr. Cherian Anjilimoottil, Diocesan Director, emphasized the moral responsibility of the Church and social organizations in amplifying farmers’ voices when political institutions fail to respond adequately. Antony Kuttikkadan, Diocesan General Secretary, and Jose Mukkada, Diocesan Treasurer, stressed that the decline in the prices of agricultural products has created a dangerous cycle where cultivation becomes unprofitable, discouraging younger generations from taking up farming. The Forona Presidents Wilson Kollannoor, Benny Mattappilly, and Joy Philip along with AB Vadakkekkara, General Coordinator of the Diocesan Youth Council, echoed these sentiments and pledged continued support to mobilize the community until the demands of farmers are met.
The resolutions passed at the protest were sharp and uncompromising. The first demand was for the immediate payment of the paddy procurement price, ensuring that farmers are not left waiting months for what is rightfully owed to them. The second demand called for urgent measures to end the menace of wild elephants in hilly regions, including more effective fencing, relocation policies, and community protection programs. The third demand addressed the freefall in agricultural produce prices, with participants urging the government to create fair price mechanisms, provide subsidies, and establish better marketing systems to prevent exploitation of farmers by middlemen.
The Farmers’ Protest Flame was not merely a symbolic event; it was an assertion of farmers’ rights and dignity. By combining religious leadership with grassroots activism, the Catholic Congress demonstrated its commitment to bridging faith with social justice. The strong turnout and fiery speeches sent a clear message to policymakers: farmers can no longer be sidelined, and their survival is tied directly to the nation’s food security and cultural identity. Unless concrete steps are taken soon, the anger of the farming community may grow into larger, more widespread agitations across the state.