The Lok Sabha Polls: Is the BJP’s Forward March in Kerala a ‘Gimmick’ or Does It Make a Dent in the Politics of the Left-Congress Already In Place?

The Kerala Story, a film based on purported religious conversions of women from the southern state, and “Sneha Yatra” are just two examples of how far the saffron brigade’s connection to Kerala has come in the past year. Prime Minister Modi has also made significant strides in the region with his frequent visits and his choice to welcome the head of the Christian community to his home.

In addition to the RSS-BJP’s outreach via its political and social affiliations, the fishermen’s community is being reached out to through the “Modi ki guarantee,” which is an additional component of the revitalized outreach for the coastal regions of the southern states, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Among other current initiatives, the BJP’s “Sankalp Yatra,” or Lok Sabha election manifesto, includes an elaborated and extended version of the “Matsya Sampada Yojana.” The 2019 general election manifesto included a reference of this endeavor.

Despite seeing little political progress in Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the previous year, the BJP has placed a great deal of emphasis on these two states. The prime minister’s picture with the “sengol” labeled “good governance” on the manifesto paper also symbolizes the BJP’s desire for southern domination, its ties to the Tamil community, and its affinity for the state’s culture.

In Kerala, things are different even if there is a Tamil connection via the cultural realm. The BJP’s political ties to Kerala were never as strong, but its alliance with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu continued to have some significance.

The various Keralite Christian denominations, especially the Syro-Malabar Christians—who the BJP refers to as “more culturally aligned with the Hindus”—are the main conduits for the present outreach in Kerala.

A MOVER OR A MOVIE: THE KERALA STORY?
Kerala saw a string of almost unheard-of occurrences last week related to the film The Kerala Story. When the film was released last year, it caused a lot of controversy since many individuals, including politicians and pundits, questioned the movie’s veracity. In addition to striking a political chord and igniting a debate about “love jihad,” religious conversion, and human trafficking done in the name of love, the film had widespread economic success.

The opposition criticized it for encouraging misinformation. On April 5, over a year later, Doordarshan released the film nationwide. After the dispute had almost subsided, it gained new momentum, with some members of the Christian community supporting the film’s exhibition and several dioceses even setting up screens on their property. The Left and Congress politicians in Kerala objected to the decision, citing the violence in Manipur, as the Meiteis are Hindus and the Kuki populations in the state are mostly Christian.

The most important question is still open. Is there a growing sentiment against the Left Front or the UDF, or is the general public aligning themselves with the BJP?

News18 talked with a number of local lawmakers and Malayali community leaders. Leaders in the Christian community, particularly those from Syro-Malabar, said that they are in favor of the film since it is “close” to reality. Cross-party local leaders from the UDF and LDF said that the BJP is attempting to introduce “communal polarization” in Kerala, a state that has hitherto refrained from such agendas and religion-based politics.

“Although the Syro-Malabar Church has officially declared that “love jihad” occurs in Kerala, it is important to note that my own observations do not always align with the official position. Instead, they are based on insights I have gained from my many duties in the church and society at large, as stated by Father Antony Thalachelloor, the first secretary of the Syro-Malabar Media Commission.

“In spite of claims made by some, such as politicians and media sources, casting doubt on the authenticity of ‘love jihad,’ it is indisputable that there are cases of people—especially Islamists—engaging in fabricated interfaith romantic relationships. In a paradoxical way, people who deny the existence of “love jihad” are really attempting to argue that it doesn’t exist since the legal system hasn’t yet defined it, the speaker added.

But in light of the ongoing election process, it is essential to understand the underlying political objectives behind the most recent Doordarshan screening of “The Kerala Story.” Furthermore, the choice made by some Catholic clergy to display “Manipur Story” raises further concerns about possible political goals entwining with religious tales. It is an indisputable fact that Christians belonging to both tribes experienced assaults in Manipur,” he said.

BJP AND CONGRESS-LEFT: WHAT DO THEY SAY?
Senior Congress and CPM officials referred to the BJP’s claims that the party has been able to gain momentum locally as “just a gimmick.”

“The political philosophy in this case has not changed. The color saffron is not one that the people of Kerala like to embrace. There is no real support for the BJP, the RSS, or its causes in the state. The Left and Congress parties are engaged in a bipolar political battle here, according to a seasoned Keralan Congress MP.

Another MP and UDF candidate, K Suresh, said his party is “not aware of” the BJP’s practices in Kerala and is only focused on the election campaign.

However, senior BJP officials said that the circumstances are distinct. State BJP president K. Surendran has said several times that the central leaders are aware of the party’s stronghold.

According to a top BJP politician from the state, Prime Minister Modi’s regular trips to Kerala, government initiatives, declarations, and the inclusion of issues pertaining to fishermen in the party platform demonstrate the BJP’s dedication to the state.

“A particular segment of society has turned against the Congress and the Left,” said a senior RSS official who has been employed by the state for many years. Leaders of the Communist Party and the Congress are attempting to use the Manipur problem as a wedge to drive Christians away, but the Christians are no longer repelled. Whether or if this enthusiasm results in seats or a higher vote share remains to be seen. However, we can see that a shift in society has begun. The truth has also become more apparent, thanks in part to The Kerala Story. It is a legitimate problem rather than a political one.

WHAT ARE THE WORDS OF THE SYRO-MALABAR CHURCH?
“It is incorrect to infer from the episode in which a few bishops visited the prime minister at his request that the Indian Church is tilting towards the Sangh Parivar side. Thalachelloor said, “The Christian Church upholds a position of working with everyone for the advancement of the country, without exhibiting any specific favoritism towards political parties.

“In addition, it is imperative to recognize the current political environment in which an increasing number of people, including Christians, are aligning themselves with the BJP for reasons that are indisputable,” he said.

Thalachelloor went on to say that if the participation of Mar Joseph Perunthottam, the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Changanassery, in a “Nava Kerala Yatra” event at the chief minister of Kerala’s invitation is interpreted politically, it could complicate matters even more.