
Sparring over ‘narcotic jihad’ sermon continues
The Hindu
Cong., BJP push for all-party meet as more social figures wade into debate
The acrimonious politico-religious debate that erupted in the wake of the Pala bishop’s controversial ‘narcotic jihad’ sermon showed scarce sign of abating on Monday.
With more leaders weighing in on the subject, the sparring over the pastoral discourse threatened to deepen the religious divide and test the guard rails of communal harmony.
SNDP general secretary Vellappally Natesan blamed a priest for alleging an Ezhava community to plot to entice Christian girls into the Hindu fold via inter-faith marriage. He demanded the church defrock the priest, the latter’s apology notwithstanding.

Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa had challenged the first information report registered on March 14, 2024, on the alleged incident that occurred on February 2, 2024, the chargesheet filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and the February 28, 2025, order of taking cognisance of offences afresh by the trial court.