Thiruvananthapuram: The war of words between Geevarghese Mar Coorilose, former Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan continues as Coorilose has come out saying that freedom of expression exists in the country and anybody can criticise anybody. 

While speaking to Mathrubhumi.com on Friday in connection with CM’s reaction on his Facebook post that there might be idiots among priests, Coorilose has said that he doesn’t react to personal attacks. “I would rather indulge in ideological arguments. I had said what I felt through my facebook post. If Chief Minister has something to say about it, let him. I had no intention to drag anyone into a verbal battle while expressing my opinion”, he said. 

While speaking in the function in which the progress card of the government was being presented on Friday, CM has said that, there might be idiots among priests, taking a dig at Coorilose.“I have heard that, the priest had said that it was the flood which helped the LDF to win the assembly election for a second time. He also had reportedly said that one should not think that yet another flood would come. This clearly shows that there might be idiots among the priests too”, said Pinarayi.  

Mar Coorilose had said in his FB post that the main reason behind the humiliating defeat suffered by the LDF in the state was anti-incumbency. If the government would not be ready to learn from the shock treatment given to the LDF by the people, they too will have to face the same fate suffered by left in Bengal and Tripura, he said. 

Meanwhile, Jacobite Syrian Christian Church has rejected the statement of Coorilose as his personal opinion. The church leadership has taken a stand that the opinion of Coorilose is purely personal and not the official stand or opinion of the church. In a statement released following the controversy, church leadership has said that only the head of the church has the right to voice the official stand.