Thrissur: The leadership of the Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (CASA) has declared its support for the NDA, asserting that Christians and church leadership in Keralam should align with the alliance. The organisation stated that both major political fronts, LDF and UDF, in the state are engaged in appeasement of Islamic extremism, and emphasised that the NDA is the only front that can be trusted. CASA leaders said the church leadership and bishops must recognise this political reality and take a clear stand. According to them, the NDA represents a reliable political alternative in the current socio-political context of Keralam.
Allegations against Congress and Muslim League
The CASA leadership strongly criticised the Congress, alleging that it is effectively led by the Muslim League, which it described as a threat to national security. It claimed that the Congress in Keralam has increasingly adopted policies that promote communalism and appeasement politics. Referring to past developments, CASA stated that senior leader A.K. Antony withdrew from active state politics due to the Congress allegedly surrendering to the Muslim League. It further alleged that the Muslim League secured the fifth ministerial position in a Congress-led government through political bargaining.
The organisation also claimed that Congress leaders are now in a position where they must defer to the League’s spiritual leadership. It accused the Congress of supporting positions such as backing Hamas, supporting Iran despite its links to terrorist groups, expressing concern for Palestinian Muslims while remaining silent on the plight of Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh, and failing to address Pakistani-sponsored terrorism.
CASA further alleged that Congress has supported policies such as granting protection to Rohingya refugees, passing the Waqf Act of 1995, implementing the Sachar Committee recommendations, adopting what it termed an anti-India stance on Kashmir, and opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC). According to CASA, these shifts are the result of the Congress’s association with the Muslim League and other religious-political movements. It also accused the Congress of using religion to influence Christian voters, claiming that fear was invoked to secure support in states such as Manipur and Chhattisgarh. CASA warned that if the UDF returns to power in Keralam, governance would be dominated by the Muslim League and other communal forces.
Criticism of the left front and allegations of radical links
CASA also levelled serious allegations against the Left Democratic Front (LDF), stating that it has a history of nurturing radical Islamic ideologies. It claimed that such tendencies are linked to organised religious voting patterns.
The organisation pointed to the role of the Indian National League (INL), alleging that it contributed to the growth of groups such as Abdul Nasser Madani’s PDP, the Popular Front, SDPI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Welfare Party. CASA argued that these organisations have had a significant influence on Kerala’s political landscape.
It also referred to statements attributed to former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, alleging that there were intentions to alter the demographic balance of the state. CASA claimed that internal political decisions within the Left were influenced by vote-bank considerations, including instances where leaders were sidelined.
The leadership further alleged that issues such as the hijab controversy in schools were used not merely as matters of personal freedom, but as tools for religious polarisation and vote-bank consolidation.
CASA also criticised education
Minister V. Sivankutty said that efforts were made to secure SDPI support in constituencies such as Nemom. It stated that, like the Congress, the Left also operates within the framework of Muslim vote-bank politics.
The organisation raised concerns over legal action taken against a bishop who spoke about “love jihad” and “narcotic jihad,” alleging that such actions suppress concerns within the Christian community. It further claimed that incidents of violence against priests, Christian institutions, and the faith itself are either ignored or deliberately downplayed.
NDA as the only viable alternative
Positioning the NDA as the only credible option, CASA said the alliance offers hope for Christians in Keralam, particularly in the context of national and global political developments. It highlighted that the NDA has maintained a consistent stance on issues of national security, foreign policy, and counter-terrorism. CASA further pointed to the Waqf Amendment Bill, claiming that it has helped prevent over one lakh encroachments and facilitated the return of nearly 90 per cent of land acquired during the Congress regime to original owners.
It noted that Christians in several regions, including North-Eastern states and Goa, have supported the NDA, and said that the BJP in Keralam has maintained a friendly approach towards the Christian community, offering positions of respect and recognition.
According to CASA, the NDA provides a framework that ensures educational standards, economic stability, healthcare development, national sovereignty, independent foreign policy, and strong internal security. It stated that Christians can safely align with the NDA on these critical issues.
The leadership dismissed the relevance of alternative political fronts, stating that there is little merit in engaging with them beyond routine interactions with the central government. In its concluding remarks, CASA warned that several West Asian countries with significant Christian populations, as well as parts of Europe, have faced decline due to what it described as the combined influence of leftist politics and Islamic forces. It cautioned that Keralam could face a similar trajectory if corrective political choices are not made. The organisation emphasised that Christians in Keralam have a responsibility to prevent such a scenario and reiterated that supporting the NDA is essential to safeguarding their future and the broader interests of the state.
