THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leaders from the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in Kerala have voiced their condemnation and disappointment over the luncheon meeting organised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with selected members of the Christian community in New Delhi on Christmas Eve.
CPI leaders have drawn parallels between the event and the writings of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue Golwalker, specifically referencing “Bunch of Thoughts” and recently reported atrocities against the Christian community in Manipur. They have urged bishops and senior community leaders who attended the meeting to revisit the history of RSS to comprehend the alleged underlying political agenda.
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In the aftermath of the luncheon, the newly appointed CPI state secretary took to Twitter, stating, “After the PM’s lunch, let the bishops read Golwalker’s ‘Bunch of Thoughts. Read the chapter on Christians under the title #internal threats. It may help them realise the hidden political agenda behind the #PMLUNCH. Ask him why the silence on #Manipur?”
Similar sentiments were echoed by leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on social media platforms. This response followed PM Modi’s luncheon, during which he acknowledged the contributions of the Christian community to the country’s progress.
Simultaneously, BJP leaders in Kerala engaged with Christian community members and leaders as part of the ‘Sneha Yathra Programme’ on Christmas Eve. However, both the Congress and the CPI(M) criticised the outreach initiative, labeling it a mere attempt to win over the community ahead of the 2024 elections.
CPI(M) leader Ratheesh from Pathanamthitta stated, “This is nothing but an eyewash, and the BJP had undertaken such exercises even last year. The community members are smart enough to gauge the intentions of the BJP-RSS leaders.”
The BJP’s aim with the ‘Sneha Yathra Programme’ is to convey the PM’s Christmas message to Christian homes across the state, aiming to dispel doubts about the BJP as the party intensifies its outreach to the community in preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the coming year. The initiative, commenced on December 22, will continue until December 31.