Kannur: Mar Joseph Pamplany, metropolitan archbishop of Tellicherry Archdiocese, Syro-Malabar Church, on Thursday took a jibe at the central government over the Manipur riots and compared the violence with the 2002 Gujarat riots. Expressing concern over whether the riots would turn into a genocide, Pamplany opined that both the state and central governments have failed to suppress the violence. 

“The riots in Manipur is turning into a genocide in a way unheard of in India’s history. It has become another version of the riots that took place in Gujarat years back. There has been a very planned move to instigate violence. It is only natural for the general public to worry that the government is protecting those behind the move,” Pamplany told Mathrubhumi News. 

The archbishop also expressed dissent over the central government’s attempt to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). “All the diversities and religious peculiarities of the country should be accommodated. Hinduism has more differences, customs and rituals than any other religion,” he said.  

“The government should first try to put aside the imaginary term 'UCC' and carry out a democratic debate as to what is actually going to be implemented here,” he added.