"Kerala Appreciative Of PM Modi": Kerala Bishop After Meeting

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outreach to Christians in Kerala drew all eyes today, despite the foundation of a number of infrastructure projects and the flagging off of the Vande Bharat Express from Thiruvananthapuram. Seven bishops of various Christian sects met PM Modi last evening after which one of them has said the people of Kerala are "appreciative of PM Modi".

Cardinal George Allencherry, the Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar church told reporters, "We shared the anxieties we have regarding our mission work in north India, which is being hindered by religious fundamentalists. We spoke about rights of Dalit Christians, the poor and the marginalised. We presented woes of farmers, fishermen and people in coastal areas".

The Prime Minister, he said, had listened attentively and promised protection for all believers. He had also shared his government's push for the Christians and the poor in the state through 10 per cent reservation, he said.

"The people of Kerala are appreciative of PM Modi. We are looking for further development," he added.

Christians comprise 18 per cent of the population in Kerala, where the BJP has not made much headway electorally so far. But by pro-actively reaching out to the Christian population and the youth, the party hopes the picture to change in time for next year's general elections.

In the party's last national executive, PM Modi had made a strong case for reaching out to the marginalized sections and the minorities.  On Easter day, he visited Delhi's Sacred Heart Cathedral and interacted with the community.

In Kerala, BJP leaders met with the clergy and leaders of the Christian community at their homes. On Vishu, the Malayalam New Year Day, they hosted breakfast at their home for Bishops and other Christian leaders.

The Christian community is also seen as responding, with several prominent pastors issuing pro-BJP statements.

Earlier this month, a bishop of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church said the view that the Christian community is persecuted in India is an "unnecessary propaganda" unleashed internationally by vested interests.  

A bishop in Thalassery has said Kerala could vote in a BJP MP if the party supported rubber prices.