Alappuzha: Kerala Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan strongly criticised Christian priests on Sunday for their alleged silence on the issue of Manipur violence during the Christmas programme organised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi. Speaking after inaugurating a local committee office of his party CPI(M) in this coastal district, Cheriyan mocked certain bishops who attended the Prime Minister's programme, saying they got 'goosebumps' when BJP leaders invited them. He alleged that they forgot the issue of Manipur violence targeting their own community members when they were served with cakes and grape wine. "Did they urge the Indian Prime Minister to intervene in the matter?" the CPI(M) leader questioned. Stating that Christian community members were butchered in Manipur, Cheriyan also criticised certain Christian priests for still joining the BJP in Kerala. Neither the BJP nor the bishops have reacted to Cheriyan's allegations. During an interaction with the members of the Christian community at his residence on Christmas, Modi had heaped praise on the minority community for its role in the freedom movement and in various fields like healthcare and education, and said the country proudly acknowledges its contribution. Modi had said the values of compassion, inclusivity and justice for all propagated by

In a recent development in Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused supporters of the Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) of conducting cyber attacks against Christians who recently joined the party. This accusation follows the enrollment of around fifty Christian families, including Fr Shaiju Kurien, Secretary of the Orthodox Church Nilakkal Bhadrasanam in Pathanamthitta district in southern Kerala, who joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Saturday (30 December). As reported by Onmanorama, BJP state president K Surendran expressed concern over the cyber attacks and issued a stern warning of robust retaliation against those responsible, emphasising the party's commitment to protecting its new members. The party had recently resumed its 'Sneha Yatra,' an outreach program aimed at connecting with the Christian community in the state. However, the BJP's move to engage with minority communities has drawn criticism from the Congress, which has accused the party of pursuing divisive strategies. This development underscores the evolving political landscape in Kerala, where the BJP is intensifying efforts to broaden its appeal among diverse demographics, particularly by fostering ties with the Christian community. This article is originally published on  https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/bjp-accuses-congress-and-cpim-of-cyber-attacks-on-christians-joining-party-in-kerala-vows-strong-retaliation