Kottayam: BJP leader Shaun George has sharply criticised Deepika, the mouthpiece of the Catholic Church, alleging that certain individuals within the publication are engaging in political activity and distorting news in favour of some interest groups. Speaking to the media, Shaun George said such practices must be curbed and warned that he would raise the issue with church authorities.
He asserted that a church-run publication must safeguard the interests of the Church and its faithful, not those of external investors. “We, the children of the Church, have every right to know whether investors are influencing editorial policy,” he said. He further claimed that while the BJP has acknowledged and addressed concerns raised by the Church, Deepika continues to carry advertisements linked to the Congress Muslim League-led UDF. According to him, some individuals are allegedly working for the UDF under the cover of religious authority. He urged the publication to put an end to such practices.
Allegations over editorial bias and political influence
Shaun George also referred to the controversy surrounding the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), stating that the BJP had taken note of the concerns expressed by the Catholic Church. He said the bill was postponed after considering these concerns, but stressed that the legislation is rooted in national security considerations rather than religious issues. “The FCRA bill was introduced on matters affecting national security. It is not about religion. Campaigns demanding amendments in the name of religion cannot be allowed,” he said.
He questioned whether Union Home Minister Amit Shah would take seriously the editorial stance adopted by Deepika, particularly after the newspaper carried content urging voters not to support the BJP. He further asked how we respond to the party if such positions were taken by the Catholic Church during elections. Shaun George suggested that if the newspaper was facing financial difficulties, the faithful could collectively raise funds to support it rather than allowing external influences to shape its editorial direction.
P C George targets Bishops, denies opposition to Church
Following Shaun George’s remarks, his father, 8 times MLA and NDA candidate from Poonjar constituency, P C George, also strongly reacted to the issue. Clarifying his stance, he said he was not opposed to the Church as an institution but had serious objections to the actions of certain bishops. “The Church is not the bishops. Some bishops are working for the Congress. Some are Congress-minded by birth,” he alleged. He added that bishops should refrain from political involvement, warning that those who act politically would be viewed as politicians and lose public respect.
P C George also claimed that the Bishop of Kanjirappally had instructed monasteries to support the UDF. “Does the Church mean the UDF?” he asked, questioning the neutrality of the institution. Referring to the Poonjar contest, he argued that among the candidates in the fray, his own contributions stood out, implying that the support extended to others was politically motivated. He reiterated his support for the FCRA law, questioning the opposition to it. “What is the issue if accounts are provided for foreign funds received? Union ministers Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju have clarified that the law will not harm the Christian community. Then why this opposition?” he asked, alleging that such reactions were politically driven in favour of the UDF.
Criticism of Deepika coverage and electoral confidence
P C George also criticised Deepika for its coverage, questioning its credibility as a newspaper. He claimed that despite being a candidate in the Poonjar constituency, his campaign had not been adequately reported, while other candidates received coverage. He reiterated that the Church belongs to the faithful and not to a select group of bishops. Emphasising that his criticism was directed only at certain individuals within the hierarchy, he expressed confidence in his electoral prospects. Addressing allegations of vote-buying, George denied any involvement, stating that no one in Erattupetta had given him money, nor had he been entrusted with distributing funds. He dismissed such claims as baseless.
George further stated that the BJP’s approach has been to respect all religious communities. “The Church does not need to come closer to the BJP; rather, the BJP must connect with the people and the Christian community,” he said. Concluding his remarks, P C George expressed strong confidence in the outcome of the election, asserting that he would secure victory in Poonjar by a margin of 20,000 votes.
