“It was the generation inspired by India’s spiritual heritage and the freedom struggle that went on to shape modern Bharat. Today’s younger generation must strive to project the nation’s glory on the world stage, making effective use of organisation and technology,” said Fr. George Nellikunnu Chericu Purayidom, director of the Care Homes project under the Pala Diocese and Deepika Friends Club in Kerala.
He was presiding over Shankoli 2025, a student conclave jointly organised by the Poonjar, Meenachil and Ramapuram khands (local units) of the RSS, on August 15, Independence Day, at Poonjar in Kottayam district.
However, the presence of a Christian Father at an RSS event did not go down well with many in Christian circles, particularly those antagonistic towards RSS, BJP and VHP. A Church priest, known for voicing anti-RSS rhetoric, remarked that Fr. George Nellikunnu Chericu Purayidom’s participation in the RSS programme “only reflects how sections of the Catholic clergy remain insensitive to the sufferings of their fellow believers in BJP-ruled states”.
The incident has since sparked discussions on social media and within Catholic society. Yet, Fr. George made it clear that he addressed the programme with the knowledge of Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt. He explained that he chose to attend since the programme was related to the country’s Independence Day, adding that the organisers invited him and he delivered a speech on the event’s theme. He stressed that he does not see any reason to interpret his participation in another manner.
Supporting this stance, Fr. Joseph Thadathil, Vicar General of the diocese, maintained that the priest must have attended the programme in his personal capacity. The diocese, he clarified, does not interfere in the matters of any political party and does not support any of them. Even when a priest addresses a programme, it does not signify the diocese’s endorsement.
Observers interpret Fr. Joseph Thadathil’s words as a policy statement in principle. At the same time, sections of the Christian priesthood and believers view BJP and RSS as allies. They recall being grateful to BJP leaders and governments for their intervention in the Chhattisgarh issue. Notably, BJP leader P.C. George recently told a public meeting that it was young RSS swayamsevaks who had saved the Pala Bishop when religious extremists gathered to attack him in 2021.
Meanwhile, both the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) have been loudly campaigning against what they describe as “RSS/BJP/VHP-sponsored anti-nun attacks” in Chhattisgarh and Odisha, insisting that nuns and priests from Kerala are being targeted. In this backdrop, Fr. George Nellikunnu’s participation in an RSS-organised programme is being seen as a fitting reply to pseudo-secular voices of all hues.
When a section of the Catholic Church continues to raise its voice against alleged attacks on nuns in central and North East Bharat, the presence of a priest from the Pala diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church at an RSS event naturally raises a few eyebrows in Kerala. Yet, this is not the first time such an overlap has occurred. On several occasions, the Church has actively shared platforms with the RSS, VHP, and BJP members. Recently too, the Church and BJP have worked together on issues such as love jihad, the Munambam waqf land dispute, and the arrests in the Chhattisgarh nuns’ case.
