Central Travancore sees huge protests by Churches over nuns’ incarceration

The prolonged incarceration of two Keralite nuns on forced conversion charges has ignited a wave of protest against the Sangh Parivar in central Travancore, signalling a fierce return of organised resistance under Church leadership after years of silence.

A massive gathering of faithful at Bharananganam on Wednesday evening, organised by the Pala Diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, marked a key moment in the unfolding protest. Addressing the crowd, Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt of Pala Diocese issued a strong warning that if the nuns continue to be held without just cause, the protest would escalate to the gates of Parliament.

“This is a moment when the Christian community in India, especially in Kerala, is awakening from its slumber,” the Bishop declared.

The wave of protest is rapidly spreading across the region. The Idukki diocese held a massive demonstration in Kattappana on Thursday, while the Kothamangalam diocese is set to stage a similar protest in Thodupuzha on Friday. Signalling a broader mobilisation, the Syro-Malankara Church will lead a united march of all episcopal churches in Pathanamthitta on August 3. These major events are in addition to numerous parish- and regional-level protests and prayer meetings being held throughout the region.

“This is the first time in several years that the region is witnessing such large-scale, organised protests under Church leadership. The last time we saw such mobilisation was during the agitation against the Gadgil and Kasturirangan Committee reports,” noted a senior Catholic prelate.

Meanwhile, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church also voiced its dissent on Thursday. Senior clergy, including the Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, staged a demonstration at the church headquarters in Kottayam against the arrest of the nuns.

“On one side, appeasement; on the other, persecution -- this is a classic case of trying to sail in two boats at once. One is forced to ask whether the central government is truly incapable of controlling extremist religious groups or is it the fear of losing their support base, that holds them back?” asked the Catholicos.