The BJP’s attempts to court the Christian community in Kerala have sparked significant backlash, with controversies and protests overshadowing their efforts. On Christmas Eve, Yuhanon Meletius, Metropolitan bishop of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church’s Thrissur Diocese, took to social media to subtly critique the BJP’s seemingly contradictory actions.
In what appeared to be a sarcastic post, the bishop highlighted the destruction of cribs depicting the nativity of Jesus in some areas, contrasting it with the BJP’s overtures to Christian leaders during the festive season. His comments were widely interpreted as a reference to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) alleged disruption of Christmas celebrations at a government school in Palakkad, where students’ manger display was reportedly vandalized.
Christmas Disruption Sparks Outrage
The incident in Palakkad, where the police are investigating the vandalism at the Government UP School in Thathamangalam, became a flashpoint. Activists from the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Youth Congress staged protests, singing carols and dressing as Santa Claus to draw attention to the issue.
Adding to the controversy, the BJP’s outreach efforts were juxtaposed with these incidents. Just a day earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed Church leaders in New Delhi during Christmas celebrations hosted by the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI). Quoting the Bible, Modi emphasized compassion and selflessness, seemingly aiming to strengthen ties with the Christian community.
Opposition Criticizes BJP’s Actions
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan accused the BJP of hypocrisy, describing their overtures to Christians as akin to a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” He argued that the incident at Nallepilly exposed the Sangh Parivar’s “true anti-minority character.”
The Congress and CPI(M) seized the opportunity to challenge the BJP, leveraging the controversy to question the sincerity of its outreach. Congress leaders pointed out that such incidents reveal deep-rooted biases against minorities within the party’s ideological framework.
BJP’s Damage Control Efforts
Faced with growing criticism, the BJP moved swiftly to contain the fallout. Union Minister of State George Kurien condemned the Palakkad incident, while BJP State president K. Surendran announced the expulsion of the Wayanad district president for making “anti-Christian” remarks. Surendran also alleged that the incident was a political conspiracy orchestrated by the Congress to undermine the BJP’s Sneha Yatra initiative, which seeks to engage with Christian households and Church leaders across Kerala.
VHP’s Role And Justification
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal also came under scrutiny for their involvement in the Nallepilly school controversy. VHP State secretary Viji Thampi defended their actions, stating that activists had merely questioned the school’s decision to send students dressed as Santa Claus to nearby homes, citing alleged violations of juvenile justice rules. Thampi claimed the arrests of VHP and Bajrang Dal workers were politically motivated, asserting that no real disruption had been caused.
Political Implications
The backlash against the BJP highlights the challenges of navigating religious sensitivities in Kerala, where Christians form a significant electoral bloc. The party’s outreach efforts, including Modi’s engagement with Church leaders, aim to consolidate Christian support, particularly in the wake of BJP candidate Suresh Gopi’s resounding victory in Thrissur during the last Lok Sabha elections.
However, incidents like the vandalism of the manger and the perceived contradiction between outreach and on-ground actions have complicated these efforts. The opposition has been quick to capitalize on these events, framing the BJP’s actions as insincere and opportunistic.
Future Of BJP’s Outreach
Despite the controversy, the BJP appears determined to continue its engagement with the Christian community. The party’s Sneha Yatra initiative remains active, with BJP leaders visiting parishioners and Church leaders to extend festival greetings and build goodwill.
For the BJP, winning the trust of Kerala’s Christian population is a strategic move to break the state’s traditional political dynamics dominated by the Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF. However, incidents like the Palakkad controversy underline the fragility of such efforts and the potential for backlash when actions on the ground fail to align with outreach narratives.
As the BJP presses on with its campaign, it faces the dual challenge of addressing internal contradictions and countering opposition narratives that paint the party as anti-minority. The coming months will reveal whether the BJP can navigate these challenges and foster meaningful connections with Kerala’s Christian community.