Verghese V Joseph –
The battle for Kerala has become movie vs movie, and church vs church, with parties vying to attract voters from the Christian community. The Christian community in Kerala is not a homogenous block, with different communities showing diverse affiliations and influencing Kerala’s poll outcomes.
Whether the political controversy surrounding the screening of “The Kerala Story” will have a significant impact on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala is anybody’s guess. The film, which depicts the conversion of four women from Kerala to Islam and their alleged involvement with the Islamic State, has sparked debates and divisions among the Christian community, which constitutes 18% of Kerala’s population.
The recent events surrounding the screening of films in Kerala’s churches have brought to light the diverse perspectives and actions within the state’s religious institutions. The clash over the screening of “The Kerala Story” and the subsequent screening of the Manipur documentary “Cry of the Oppressed” in different churches have underscored the complexities and divisions within Kerala’s Christian community.
The controversy sparked by the screening of “The Kerala Story” by the Catholic Diocese of Idukki of Syro-Malabar Church, followed by the decision of other dioceses like Thamarassery and Thalassery to show the film, escalated into a political dispute. The film, depicting the alleged conversion of Kerala women to Islam and their involvement with the Islamic State, faced criticism from various quarters, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan.
CSI Church’s Inclusive Gesture
In the midst of the ongoing drama, in a contrasting move, the Church of South India opened its doors to the local Muslim community in Manjeri, Malappuram, during Eid-al-Fitr celebrations. This gesture of inclusivity in a Muslim-majority area stood in stark contrast to the tensions surrounding the film screenings in other churches.
On the same day, a Catholic parish under the Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese screened the documentary “Cry of the Oppressed” at St. Joseph’s Church, Sanjopuram. This documentary, focusing on the Manipur violence, was presented as a reminder of real-world issues, with the parish vicar emphasising the importance of not forgetting the events in Manipur.
The screening of “The Kerala Story” and the subsequent screening of “Cry of the Oppressed” have highlighted the internal differences within Kerala’s churches. While some churches chose to engage with controversial topics through film screenings, others opted for gestures of unity and inclusivity, as seen in the Church of South India’s outreach to the Muslim community.
The Syro-Malabar Church, one of the largest Eastern Catholic Churches in India, has a significant role in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala. The church carries considerable clout, and its views affect the preferences of the community, particularly among the Christian population.
The church leadership has been denouncing inter-religious marriages, raising the spectre of Islamic fundamentalism, and emphasising the need for Christian piety to procreate more. These actions can be seen as part of a strategy to protect the interests of the Christian community in the state.
The unfolding events in Kerala’s churches reflect a complex interplay of narratives, ideologies, and responses within the state’s religious landscape. The clash over film screenings, the expression of differing viewpoints, and the gestures of inclusivity all contribute to Kerala’s social and political dynamics, underscoring the multifaceted nature of religious discourse in the region.
The Lok Sabha elections in Kerala are set to be a closely watched contest, with the political discourse surrounding the elections in Kerala being multifaceted, showcasing a mix of national and regional influences. The screening of “The Kerala Story” and the subsequent controversy have added a new dimension to the electoral discourse in the state.
Really appreciate this incisive analysis. The hierarchy and clergy of Kerala should refrain from party politics. Surely the highly educated laity of Kerala know what is what. I doubt if they will follow the clergy’s diktats or not so subtle hints.
Apparently well presented the cross section of the Church and Communal politics in the perspective of General Election 24. I appreciate your acumen in presenting such controversy impartially. In fact, it is not the official Church that took any stand for or against any political parties, rather it is the Political parties that sponsors and boomerang as if the Church is on for either parties. of course, some misgiving prevailed between the Islamic and Church leadership as much as the Church faces crisis from the BJP. The Syro-Malabar Church wanted to link the social issues of ‘liberal attitude among the catholic boys and girls’ in love affairs in the Catechism syllabus of Vacation Bible School. So they screened the ‘Kerala Story’ in some of the diocese. To counter this political imbroglio faced by the Church,, the Manipur issue of ‘Cry of the Oppressed” was shown in a parish in Ernakulam. I find the Church in India between the ‘Devil and the Dead Sea”. May the Holy Spirit guide the Church.