Catholicos Cautions Kerala Govt Against Vandalism In Catholic College

PATHANAMTHITTA, Kerala, MAR. 29, 2008, 09.40 Hrs (SAR News):

The Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, cautioned the Communist Party-led Left Democratic Front Government in Kerala against any further attack or malicious campaign against the Church and its institutions in the state.

He was speaking after inaugurating a 'satyagraha' staged against the attack by the activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the communist party, on Mar Athanasios College for Advanced Sciences and Technology (MACFAST) at Tiruvalla, March 26.

A rally was also organised by the Tiruvalla Archdiocese in this connection. It was inaugurated by Major Archbishop Cleemis, the head of the Syro-Malankara Church.

The prelate said there was every reason to believe that the attack perpetrated by SFI activists on flimsy grounds was with the will and consent of the ruling party's top leaders in the State. Any further vandalism would be resisted at all cost, he added.

The SFI activists vandalised Athanasios College after a girl student, Sumi, allegedly slashed her wrist at the college hostel in an attempt to end her life, after her laptop was reportedly stolen from her room. She later died at her home in Chavara during Easter holidays.

A large number of Christians, including priests, nuns and parents of the students of the college, participated in the rally led by the Archbishop of Thiruvalla, Mar Thomas Koorilose, March 26.

It was inaugurated by Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam of Changanassery.

They condemned the vandalism on the college and the attack on a bus belonging to Puspagiri Medical College of Thiruvalla Archdiocese.

Former minister, M.M. Hassan, alleged that the attack on MACFAST proved once again that "all sorts of anti-democratic and violent forces flourished under the LDF rule in the State for the last two years".

He said the latest incident at Thiruvalla was "a part of the CPM's nasty tactics of suppressing the opponents by misusing the mandate of governance".

Tiruvalla, the headquarters of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, witnessed rallies and demonstrations for and against the attack on MACFAST.

A march taken out by All-India Students Federation, the students' wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI) demanding criminal action against the college management, was blocked by the police en route to MACFAST.

The protesters staged a sit-in on the road and raised slogans against the Athanasios College management and its principal. The march took a violent turn when some participants tried to break the police cordon.

In all eight persons, including a sub-inspector of police, were injured in the melee.

The policemen arrested 23 AISF and All-India Youth Federation activists.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India, the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and SFI activists jointly staged a protest march to the college. It was also blocked by the police about 300 meters from college. SFI state joint secretary, Roshan Roy Mathew, inaugurated the protest meeting.