Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP has the right to criticise religion and faith when they are used for the interests of any political party, said State General Secretary Adv. S. Suresh. He pointed out that many people from Christian and Muslim communities have joined the BJP, emphasising that the party’s culture is rooted in respecting spiritual leaders and priests. However, he asserted that the BJP would strongly oppose any attempt to use religion or community identities for political gain. He was speaking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram.
Allegations of political misuse
Shaun George reacted sharply against what he described as misinterpretations and politically motivated moves by the Congress and the Church mouthpiece Deepika, Suresh said. He stated that Shaun George is working for the community alongside Christian leaders within the BJP and has every right to respond to media narratives that, according to him, spread negative propaganda against him for political purposes. He added that P.C. George’s statement was made in the context of local conditions in Poonjar constituency.
Suresh further claimed that the BJP has the largest number of Christian members in the country and noted that the party governs all Christian-majority states. According to him, the BJP maintains strong relationships with church leaders as well as ordinary Christians. He also criticised the Congress and Kerala Congress, stating that they should not attempt to position themselves as protectors of the dissenting rights of Christians. He argued that the increase in BJP’s vote share in Keralam is largely due to growing support from Christian communities. Reiterating the party’s stance, Suresh said that the BJP respects and protects all religions and beliefs equally. He maintained that there has been no discrimination based on caste or religion during the 12 years of Narendra Modi’s government at the Centre or in BJP-ruled states.
In contrast, he alleged that Keralam has witnessed discrimination even in matters related to minority rights, pointing specifically to what he described as an “80:20” imbalance in minority reservations. He also referred to past incidents of religious discrimination in the state, claiming that when the Pala Bishop was attacked by PFI terrorists, neither the Congress nor the Communist Party came forward in support. Instead, he accused both the Opposition Leader and the Chief Minister of acting in a manner that betrayed the Bishop, allegedly in line with the interests of the PFI- SDPI.
Addressing another issue, Suresh said that in connection with the marriage of a 16-year-old Kumbh Mela viral girl Monalisa Bhosle in Madhya Pradesh, cases should be registered against CPI(M) state secratary M.V. Govindan, Education minister V. Sivankutty, and Rajyasabha member A.A. Rahim for criminal conspiracy and under the SC/ST Act. He stressed that child marriage is illegal and asserted that all those involved in the incident must be brought to justice and sent to jail.
