Catholic bishop condemns attack on Christmas carol in Palakkad

Palakkad: Days after a Christmas carol group, comprising children, was attacked in Palakkad, Catholic bishop Peter Kochupurackal on Tuesday strongly condemned the incident and demanded stringent action to check the recurrence of such violence.

Kochupurackal, the Syro-Malabar Church bishop of the Palakkad diocese, said that any attack against such groups, even obstructing their path, was unacceptable.

He said that the attack was utterly condemnable and violence is unacceptable, calling on the responsible persons to handle the matter legally.

The bishop's remarks came two days after the man was arrested for the alleged attack on the Christmas carol group in Pudussery in this district. The incident occurred when a group of children were visiting the houses of the faithful while carolling on Sunday night.

The accused was identified as Ashwin Raj, reportedly an RSS activist.

The police said the incident occurred in an area where the RSS is considered to have a strong presence.

As per the complaint, the accused confronted the carol group and destroyed their band set and other articles.

Police booked Ashwain Raj under BNS Sections 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 110 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) in the present case, police had said. He is already facing charges under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, added the police.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader in the district, C Krishnakumar, on Tuesday, alleged that CPM activists were among the carol group members. They were drunk and they went in the area to deliberately create issues, he alleged while talking to reporters here. He further alleged that the carol group went to the area with CPM's band instruments.

"The criminal gang of CPM went into the area to deliberately create issues," the leader alleged.

CPM is yet to respond to these allegations.