Church has equidistance policy in polls: Koz bishop

KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal has said the Catholic church's stand in elections is to adopt an equidistant, issue-based and value-based approach. He told reporters on Sunday, after meeting BJP leaders led by Kerala prabhari Prakash Javadekar who called on him to convey Easter greetings, that the church's advice to voters would be to cast votes as per their conscience for good candidates who can serve the country and who can protect democracy, socialism, secularism and country's integrity.
On CAA and opposition allegations that it was targeted against a particular section, he said those were all allegations, and one should try to understand the truth.
I f anyone is negatively impacted due to CAA, then it should not be proceeded with. But, if it is a law which is not causing harm to anyone and if its aim is to give identity card to everyone and to recognize everyone, then there is no issue,” said Kozhikode bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal.
Asked whether minorities were secure under the central government, Chakkalakkal said he had not felt that minorities were insecure. Maintaining that he was not blaming the Modi govt, he said the govt was implementing many progressive steps but there were issues in some areas
“The PM or party president may not be aware of those issues. Govt should take steps to resolve such issues,” he said. On the Manipur issue, the bishop said there was something which should not have taken place in a democratic society and when such incidents take place, govt should intervene immediately and put an end to it. However, he said varied opinions were being said about incidents that have taken place in Manipur.
“Some are saying that it is not religious but an issue concerning their race or tribe. We have not been able to get full information about the truth behind it,” he said On whether the Manipur issue will get reflected in polls, the bishop said people know about the issue, and it could get reflected in polls. Chakkalakkal said voters of Kerala were very much politically conscious, and they can discern and decide what is good and what is bad, and there is no need for church to intervene and say whom to vot