CPI-M displeased over cardinal meeting Modi

The CPI-M Friday expressed its displeasure over a meeting between Cardinal Moran Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, head of the Syro Malankara Catholic Church here, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Aug 18.

In an article titled 'About a meeting' in party mouthpiece 'Deshabimani', party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said a statement by the cardinal, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), made after his meeting with Modi in New Delhi, deeply saddened all those who believe in secularism.

The cardinal had said that he believed and supported all what Modi as prime minister had assured and there was no reason for him to think otherwise.

"One is forced to think about his statement that comes at a time when all secular forces should unite to take on Modi who is beginning his rule by playing communal politics.

"Through the cardinal's statement, one is forced to think it appears to give Modi an advantage," Vijayan wrote.

After his 22-minutes long meeting with Modi, the cardinal had then told reporters that he pledged the Church's support for Modi government's education, health care and anti-poverty programmes.

The cardinal had also pledged support for Modi's agenda of good governance and appealed to all Indians to set aside their religious differences.

On Friday, Vijayan said it was very unfortunate that the cardinal dismissed RSS supremo Mohan Bhagawat's comment that "all Indians identify themselves as Hindus" as an individual opinion.

"Who does not know that Modi is the one who implements the directives of the RSS and the Sangh Parivar.

"..Neither has Modi said he differs from the views of these organizations, but the cardinal has given a clean chit," Vijayan wrote.