Catholic Church fumes at ‘silence’ of govt. over wildlife attacks

Raging wildlife attacks along the State’s forest fringes have prompted the Catholic Church to be highly critical of the government.

At a meeting of the Indian Farmers’ Movement (INFARM) under the Syro-Malabar Catholic diocese of Kanjirappally, tempers flared with Catholic prelates openly demanding the resignation of the Forest Minister. Addressing the event on Wednesday evening, Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil, head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic eparchy of Thamarassery and episcopal adviser of INFARM, launched a blistering attack on the government.

‘Passive onlookers’

He accused the State of standing by as a spectator while wild animal attacks continued unchecked, claiming human lives. “Do our farmers not have the right to live? The government and the Forest department are acting like passive onlookers. Is it that only urban lives matter? The Forest Minister should step down and take responsibility,” he said. Alleging that the Forest department was outright anti-farmer, he warned of more intense protests.

Kanjirappally Bishop Mar Jose Pulikkal also joined the chorus, expressing deep frustration over the lack of action. “Where have the government, Forest department, and Ministers disappeared to? How can they remain silent? Aren’t they worried about the lives of farmers who are the backbone of Kerala’s economy? They are ignoring the cries of the very people who elected them,” he said.

He demanded that the government either take immediate action to protect citizens from these attacks or resign from their posts.

Reacting to the criticism, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran termed the demand for his resignation by the bishops a ‘political’ one. “I had an idea that the bishops were on a plane higher than the common people. I hope and pray it is not reversed,” he said.

Protest on Saturday

The remarks have come at a time as the Church’s anger is building toward a massive showdown. On Saturday, a farmers’ protest organised by the Church will be held in Changanassery. With Changanassery Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil urging the community’s cooperation in the event, the protest is expected to witness a massive turnout. During the anti-buffer zone protests in 2023, Mr.Saseendran had directly reached out to the Kanjirappally diocese to explain the State government’s position on the issue.