`Christians safe’: Union minister after meeting Cardinal Alencherry

Kochi: Union minister of state for minority affairs John Barla had an interaction with Syro-Malabar Church major archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry on Tuesday. Speaking to media, Barla termed the interaction fruitful and said, “Christians are safe under Narendra Modi’s regime.”

The meet-up was part of the BJP-led Centre’s Christian outreach programme in the state. The meet-up also comes at a time when Cardinal Alencherry faced a setback in Supreme Court. The apex court had dismissed his plea to quash the criminal cases against him in the controversial land deal case. 

Barla in his three-day visit to Kerala has been visiting many Christian faith leaders. Barla will meet the Rubber Board chairman later in the day. It may be noted that the Rubber Board chairman met Thalassery archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, who was in limelight for his apparent pro-BJP remarks.  Pamplany had stated that the BJP would get a Lok Sabha member from Kerala if it hiked the price of procured rubber to Rs 300 per kg.

Similarly, many church leaders in the state recently made statements hinting at the community’s openness to consider BJP as a political party like any other party despite the anti-minority narrative. 

The new development comes at this juncture.