Sparring over ‘narcotic jihad’ sermon continues

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.