Irinjalakuda: In a sharply worded statement that has stirred political circles, Fr. Jolly Vadakkan, the Vicar General of the Irinjalakuda Diocese, asserted that the nation needs “a slightly more educated education minister.” His remarks came while addressing the Rights Protection Travel Forum organized by the Catholic Congress, where he raised serious concerns about the direction of governance and the erosion of constitutional freedoms.
Fr. Vadakkan expressed dismay over the prevailing political climate, questioning whether the ruling party stood with justice and freedom or had aligned itself with religious and communal extremists. “Situations have arisen that make one wonder whose side the ruling party is on,” he remarked, voicing frustration at the growing disregard for the rights of minorities.
The priest particularly criticized the government’s handling of sensitive education-related issues. “If an education minister or cabinet cannot recognize the deliberate intent behind a child who joined school in June and suddenly demands a hijab in October, then that situation itself demands scrutiny,” he said. He further questioned the repeated remarks made by ministers that seem to undermine the freedoms granted to minority communities by the Constitution.
Responding to those who accuse the clergy of speaking communally, Fr. Vadakkan gave a pointed rebuttal: “The tradition that politicians should uphold is not something they invented; it is a tradition recognized by the people. Leaders who truly understand the minds and struggles of the people must guide this nation.”
He went on to ask, “When we question injustice and the denial of our rights, is that communalism? When the freedoms guaranteed by the High Courts and Supreme Court are denied to us, and those who resist are branded as communal, who is really distorting democracy?”
Turning his attention to local concerns, Fr. Vadakkan highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by the people of Munambam. “Those people have been suffering for years, fighting for their rightful revenue claims. Why are political leaders and administrators ignoring their plight?” he asked.
He also voiced strong solidarity with the teaching community, drawing attention to the hardships of differently-abled teachers and the salary cuts imposed on nearly 16,000 educators. “When a system cuts their pay and denies their rights, it becomes a question of justice. How can one section be denied what the Supreme Court has recognized as a right for another?”
Fr. Vadakkan’s address resonated as a call for moral responsibility and intellectual integrity within political leadership. His words underscored a growing sentiment among the faithful and civil society alike that India’s education system and its governance demand not just degrees, but discernment, fairness, and genuine understanding of the people’s struggles.