Kerala Archbishop targets political martyrs, CPM cites Gandhi to counter, BJP backs him

Addressing a convention of the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM), Pamplany said, “The Apostles (of Jesus) sacrificed their lives for truth and goodness. The 12 Apostles of (Jesus) had died as martyrs. The martyrdom of Apostles is not like that of the politicians. They were not martyrs for truth and justice. Political martyrs are those who were shot dead after getting into fights with someone unnecessarily. Some political martyrs are people who fell (to death) from bridges while police chased them away.’’

The ruling CPI(M), which has a long list of martyrs in Kannur district alone, has come out against the statement of the archbishop although he had not singled out any political party.

P Jayarajan, a senior CPI(M) leader from Kannur, said the statement is an insult to the political martyrs. “The comment that all political martyrs died after getting into unnecessary fights was not expected from the archbishop. Mahatma Gandhi is the most prominent martyr in the country. He was shot dead by communal fanatics while going for a prayer meeting. Did Gandhi go for any unnecessary fight with someone?”

Jayarajan also pointed out that many Christians were martyred in the recent Manipur riots.

“Aren’t those Christians killed in Manipur riots martyrs? Even Christian organisations allege that they had to sacrifice their lives for the wrongdoings of the BJP government. People would reject the archbishop’s comment,’’ said Jayarajan.

However, BJP rushed to the rescue of the archbishop. Party state president K Surendran said the approach of the LDF and UDF towards the archbishop’s comment was undemocratic.

“It is CPI(M) which has conferred martyrdom on those who died in unnecessary fights. The bishop has exposed it. No wonder why CPI(M), which has declared those who died at toddy shop in fracas as martyrs, criticising the archbishop. Only CPI(M) celebrates political murders,’’ he said.

As several CPI(M) leaders came out against the archbishop, the KCYM, in a statement, said the Church has respect towards martyrs. “The archbishop has not named any political party while referring to martyrs. If any political party has felt insulted, it is up to that party to go for an introspection,’’ it said.