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This is an archive article published on November 30, 2022

Catholic priest apologises after saying there’s ‘terrorist’ in minister’s name

Reacting to the comment, D'Cruz said: “He (Abdurahiman) is the biggest traitor in the world. We thought he was the minister of fishermen. There is a terrorist in his name. Those who do not know how to hoist the national flag are calling us traitors.”

V Abdurahiman, catholic priest news, kerala news, indian expressState Fisheries Minister V Abdurahiman. (Photo source: Twitter/ V Abdurahiman)

A day after calling the state fisheries minister a “traitor”, and remarking that there is a “terrorist in his name”, after the latter said protests against the Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) is “treason”, Father Theodacious D’Cruz, one of the Catholic priests leading the agitation against the seaport project, apologised on Wednesday.

Calling it a slip of tongue, D’Cruz said, “I apologise for my statement, which has created a division between the minority communities.”

The development came even as police on Wednesday registered a case against D’Cruz based on a complaint from the Indian National League, an LDF ally and the party of state Port Minister Ahamed Deverkovil.

The issue cropped up on Tuesday, after Fisheries Minister V Abdurahiman, while addressing a seminar organised by VISL, called the protest against the project “treason”.

Hitting back, D’Cruz said: “He (Abdurahiman) is the biggest traitor in the world. We thought he was the minister of fishermen. There is a terrorist in his name. Those who do not know how to hoist the national flag are calling us traitors.”

In reaction, CPI(M)-backed legislator and former state minister K T Jaleel said a case should be registered against D’Cruz.

While CPI(M) leader and LDF convener E P Jayarajan alleged a conspiracy behind the protest, Congress’s K Sudhakaran said the government should reveal if there is a conspiracy. On Wednesday, Hindu Aikya Vedi, an umbrella outfit of pro-BJP organisations, took out a march at Vizhinjam, demanding early implementation of the project.

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Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

 

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