Thiruvambadi: Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil of Thamarassery has voiced serious concerns over the sincerity and timing of the Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill recently passed by the Kerala government, suggesting that it could be a politically motivated move to appease farmers ahead of upcoming elections. The Bishop was speaking while inaugurating the concluding public meeting of the Rights Protection Tour organized by the Catholic Congress Global Committee in the Thamarassery Diocese.
“The government must clarify whether this amendment truly addresses the struggles of farmers or is merely an election-time maneuver to gain their favor,” Bishop Mar Remigiose said. He warned that if the legislation is revealed to be a superficial measure lacking genuine intent to protect farmers, the public will respond with strong disapproval.
Highlighting the Catholic Congress’s long-standing commitment to defending rights in education and agriculture, the Bishop remarked that the organization’s historic struggles still resonate in Kerala’s political landscape. “The Catholic Congress has always stood by those who toil on the land and those who nurture the minds of future generations. Perhaps that is why the memories of the liberation struggle still haunt the Education Minister,” he added, alluding to the government’s uneasy relationship with minority-led institutions.
Bishop Mar Remigiose also expressed deep sympathy for the plight of farmers in forest-fringe areas, who face dual threats from both wildlife incursions and harassment by forest officials. “Farmers are being pushed to the brink. They are forced to defend their livelihoods not only from wild animals but also from those meant to protect them,” he said. The prelate hinted that if the state fails to act responsibly, farmers may be compelled to take matters into their own hands to protect their crops and lives.
The meeting, presided over by Dr. Chacko Kalamparambil, Diocesan President of the Catholic Congress, brought together several key leaders and activists. Among those who addressed the gathering were Prof. Rajeev Kochuparambil (Jatha Captain), Fr. Philip Kaviyil (Global Director), Fr. Sabin Thummuliil (Diocesan Director), Dr. Josukutty J. Oglail (Global General Secretary), Tresa Sebastian (Global Vice President), Adv. Tony Punchakunnel, Fr. Thomas Nagaparambil (Regional Director), Shaji Kandathil (Diocesan Secretary), Benny Lukes, Joseph Pulakudy, Prince Thinamparambil, Sajeev Puraidom, and Tommy Chakkitamuriyil.
The speakers unanimously emphasized that legislative reforms must prioritize the safety and dignity of farmers, rather than serve as tools for electoral strategy. They called upon the state government to engage directly with affected communities and introduce measures that ensure coexistence between humans and wildlife without compromising rural livelihoods.
As the Rights Protection Tour concluded, the message from Thamarassery was clear: cosmetic amendments will not suffice. The Church and civil society expect transparency, justice, and a genuine commitment to protecting the people who sustain Kerala’s agrarian economy.