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Joseph Kallarangatt was born on 27 January 1956, in Kayyoor located in the [[Kottayam district]] of Kerala. He received his education at a Catholic [[seminary]] in Palai and became an [[ordained]] priest on 2 January 1982. Kallarangatt was an assistant parish priest at the [[Aruvithura]] and [[Ramapuram, Kottayam|Ramapuram]] parishes until he was sent to the [[Gregorian University]] in [[Rome]], [[Italy]] in 1984, from where he attained a [[Doctor of Theology|doctorate in theology]] (ThD). Following his ThD, he became a teacher at a seminary in Vadavathoor and later the president of the Pontifical Oriental Institute of Religious Studies (Paurastya Vidyapitam), a theology institution of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|title=Bishop of Palai Diocese, Joseph Kallarangatt|url=https://www.ucanews.com/directory/bishops/bishop-kallarangatt/193|access-date=2021-09-20|website=[[Union of Catholic Asian News]]}}</ref>
== EpiscopalPastoral ministry ==
=== 2004–20102004–2018: Rise to prominence ===
On 18 March 2004, Kallarangatt was appointed as the 3rd Bishop of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Palai]], after the resignation of Bishop Joseph Pallikaparambil. His [[Episcopal polity|episcopal]] consecration occurred on 2 May 2004 conducted by Archbishop of Changanacherry [[Joseph Powathil]] and his enthronement was conducted by [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] [[Varkey Vithayathil]].<ref name=":22" /> Later he also received an appointed to the chairmanship of the Synodal Commission for Family, [[Laity]] and Life. The [[diocese]] (eparchy) of Palai has the largest concentration of Syro-Malabar Catholics in Kerala, from where Kallarangatt's clout in the church grew considerably and he became known as an authority on [[theology]], eventually authoring 30 books on the subject.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Varma|first=Vishnu|date=2021-09-21|title=Explained: Kerala Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt and the row behind his 'love and narcotic jihad' theory|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-kerala-bishop-mar-joseph-kallarangatt-love-and-narcotic-jihad-theory-row-7522619/|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en}}</ref>
In early September 2018, the church became the subject of a major controversy after a group of nuns led protests over inaction against Bishop [[Franco Mulakkal]], accused of having raped and sexually exploited a nun multiple times over a period of 2 years. The nun was complaining to various authorities in the church hierarchy since 2017 but it had elicited no response. She eventually lodged a police complaint against Mulakkal on 28 June 2018, the protesting nuns stated that Mulakkal had powerful supporters within the church.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|last=Konikkara|first=Aathira|date=26 September 2018|title=He prayed like a holy man as she shed tears: Bishop Franco Mulakkal and a nun's fight for justice|url=https://caravanmagazine.in/gender-sexuality/bishop-franco-mulakkal-kerala-nun-rape-case-protests|website=[[The Caravan]]|language=en}}</ref> Bishop Kallarangatt was one of the first church authorities she had confided to back in June 2017.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite news|date=2018-07-14|title=Nun complained to me: Pala bishop|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nun-complained-to-me-pala-bishop/article24422306.ece|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> During the police investigation, he was brought in for questioning and stated that the nun had only made a verbal complaint with him and not a written one.<ref name=":12" /> Mulakkal was later arrested in September 2018 and the Palai diocese extended its support for him.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=John|first=Haritha|date=2021-09-17|title=The right turn by a section of Kerala's Catholic church is sheer opportunism|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/right-turn-section-kerala-s-catholic-church-sheer-opportunism-155406|website=[[The News Minute]]|language=en}}</ref>
On 3 February 2020, Kallarangatt presided over the consecration function for Jose Pulickal's appointment as the 4th Bishop of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kanjirappally]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-02-03|title=Mar Pulickal consecrated as bishop|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[Kottayam]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/mar-pulickal-consecrated-as-bishop/article30729173.ece|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In July 2021, as part of the "Year of the Family" celebrations, the Palai diocese createddevised a welfare scheme seeking to provideincrease birth rates among Catholic women by offering financial supportassistance of ₹1,500 per month, admissions with scholarships at the church-run [[St. Joseph's College of Engineering and Technology, Palai]] and free medical facilities for theevery 4thchild born andafter subsequentthe children4th as partchild of thecouples Catholicmarried Church'spost traditional pro-life stance and support towards large families2000. <ref name=":8">{{Cite news|date=2021-07-27|title= PalaiPala diocese toplans aidmore familiessops withfor morelarge childrenfamilies|language=en-IN|work=[[ MattersThe IndiaHindu]]|location=[[Kottayam]]|url=https:// mattersindiawww.thehindu.com/ 2021news/ 07national/ palaikerala/pala-diocese- toannounces- aidmore- familiessops- withfor- morelarge- childrenfamilies/ #:~:text=Women%20deliver%20their%20fourth%20children,in%20Church%2Dmanaged%20engineering%20collegearticle35562626. ece|access-date=2021-09-24|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The announcement of the scheme by Kallarangatt caused controversy but he defended it, stating that he stood by the scheme and that it was announced to support large families facing financial difficulties due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He further stated that they would begin taking applications and will be able to provide benefits from August onwards.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|date=27 July 2021|title=Catholic church in Kerala announces welfare scheme for families to have more children|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/catholic-church-in-kerala-announces-welfare-scheme-for-families-to-have-more-children-1.5862066|website=[[Mathrubhumi]]|location=[[Kottayam]]|language=en}}</ref> . BishopIt Kallarangattuwas receivedcriticised appreciationfor and support fromignoring the Palailarge diocesepopulation proboom lifein SamithiIndia whoand statedfor thatgoing thereagainst isthe aexistent need to foster a protwo- lifechild culturenorm toin ensureKerala, the stabilitycritics offrom society particularly inwithin the contextSyro-Malabar ofcommunity Keraladescribed whereit stateas sponsoredan birthunethical controland programsimmoral overscheme thecreated pastfor few decades have led to anpetty ageingpolitical societygains and aas dropinterference in the proportionsexual lives of youngmarried people which has been exacerbatedcouples by large-scale emigration to western countries.unmarried clergy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Das|first=Wimal Mary|date= 29 July 2021 -07-27| title= Pregnancy Pro-lifepackage samithiof welcomesIndian theCatholic stanceChurch, takensparks by Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangattucontroversy|url=https:// pravachakasabdamwww.laity4justice.com/ index.phppost/ site/news/16847pregnancy-package-of-indian-catholic-church-sparks-controversy-in-india|website=SMGLJT|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=28 July 2021|title=Indian bishop's promotion of large families sparks controversy|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishops-promotion-of-large-families-sparks-controversy/93486|website=[[Union of Catholic Asian News]]|language=en}}</ref> The scheme of the Palai Bishop was followed by an announcement from the Church that extended free of cost [[neonatal]] care to women giving birth to their fourth child in Church run hospitals, and scholarships for the fifthfourth and subsequent children of families who get admitted at Church run engineering colleges.<ref name=":32" /> ▼A significant milestone in the history of the Palai diocese was the establishment of a world- class quaternary care centre at Cherpunkal called Mar Sleeva Medicity which was planned and developed under the leadership and patronage of Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangattu. <ref>{{Cite web|title= About us/ Mar Sleeva Medicity Palai|url=https://marsleevamedicity.com/about-us/}}</ref>
▲On 3 February 2020, Kallarangatt presided over the consecration function for Jose Pulickal's appointment as the 4th Bishop of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kanjirappally]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-02-03|title=Mar Pulickal consecrated as bishop|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=[[Kottayam]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/mar-pulickal-consecrated-as-bishop/article30729173.ece|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In July 2021, as part of the "Year of the Family" celebrations, the Palai diocese created a welfare scheme to provide financial support, admissions with scholarships at the church-run [[St. Joseph's College of Engineering and Technology, Palai]] and free medical facilities for the 4th and subsequent children as part of the Catholic Church's traditional pro-life stance and support towards large families. <ref name=":8">{{Cite news|date=2021-07-27|title=Palai diocese to aid families with more children|language=en-IN|work=[[Matters India]]|location=[[Kottayam]]|url=https://mattersindia.com/2021/07/palai-diocese-to-aid-families-with-more-children/#:~:text=Women%20deliver%20their%20fourth%20children,in%20Church%2Dmanaged%20engineering%20college.}}</ref> The announcement of the scheme by Kallarangatt caused controversy but he defended it, stating that he stood by the scheme and that it was announced to support large families facing financial difficulties due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He further stated that they would begin taking applications and will be able to provide benefits from August onwards.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|date=27 July 2021|title=Catholic church in Kerala announces welfare scheme for families to have more children|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/catholic-church-in-kerala-announces-welfare-scheme-for-families-to-have-more-children-1.5862066|website=[[Mathrubhumi]]|location=[[Kottayam]]|language=en}}</ref>. Bishop Kallarangattu received appreciation and support from the Palai diocese pro life Samithi who stated that there is a need to foster a pro-life culture to ensure the stability of society particularly in the context of Kerala where state sponsored birth control programs over the past few decades have led to an ageing society and a drop in the proportion of young people which has been exacerbated by large-scale emigration to western countries. .<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 July 2021 | title= Pro-life samithi welcomes the stance taken by Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangattu|url=https://pravachakasabdam.com/index.php/site/news/16847}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|date=28 July 2021|title=Indian bishop's promotion of large families sparks controversy|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishops-promotion-of-large-families-sparks-controversy/93486|website=[[Union of Catholic Asian News]]|language=en}}</ref> The scheme of the Palai Bishop was followed by an announcement from the Church that extended free of cost [[neonatal]] care to women giving birth to their fourth child in Church run hospitals, and scholarships for the fifth and subsequent children of families.<ref name=":32" />
=== 2021 Love and narcotics jihad controversy ===
On 8 September 2021, Bishop Kallarangatt sparked a major controversy during a sermon at [[Kuravilangad Church]], when he claimed that the controversial[[conspiracy and divisive issuetheory]] of "[[love jihad]]" was real and that there was also a "narcotics jihad" targeting youths as a means of indirect war to annihilate the non-Muslim population. He described "narcotics jihad" as being evident everywhere from [[ice cream parlour]]s, juice corners, [[rave parties]] and hotels where youths were trapped into drug addiction and their lives spoilt.<ref>{{Cite web|date=10 September 2021|title=Kerala bishop claims Muslims have launched 'narcotics jihad', faces criticism|url=https://scroll.in/latest/1005116/muslims-are-getting-others-addicted-to-drugs-claims-kerala-bishop-calls-it-narcotic-jihad|website=[[Scroll.in]]|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Shaju|date=2021-09-10|title=Non-Muslims are targets of 'narcotic jihad': Kerala bishop|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/non-muslims-are-targets-of-narcotic-jihad-kerala-bishop-7499908/|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en}}</ref> The remarks attracted immediate and widespread condemnation and support from within the Christian community.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Krishnakumar|first=R.|date=8 October 2021|title=Pulpit polemics: Bishop's homily on 'narcotic jehad' catches Kerala by surprise|url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/communalism/pulpit-polemics/article36535496.ece|website=[[Frontline (magazine)|Frontline]]|publisher=[[The Hindu Group]]|language=en}}</ref> Representatives of the non-Catholic denominations were more vocal in their opposition though there were responses of disapproval from the other autonomous [[Syro-Malankara Catholic Church]] and the Roman Catholic Church in India as well.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Dayal|first=John|date=17 September 2021|title=Internally bleeding Indian church too weak to face challenges|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/internally-bleeding-indian-church-too-weak-to-face-challenges/94177|website=[[Union of Catholic Asian News]]|language=en}}</ref> [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan Bishop]] [[Militos Yuhanon|Yuhanon Mor Meletius]] of the [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Jacobite Christian]] denomination and Metropolitan Bishop [[Coorilose Geevarghese]] of the [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Orthodox Christian]] denomination, both part of [[Oriental Orthodoxy]] expressed the strongest condemnations stating that Kallarangatt had fallen into the design of the [[Sangh Parivar]] and was creating divisions among minorities with conspiracy theories at a time of growing [[fascism]] in India which threatened all of them.<ref name=":5" /> Metropolitan [[Theodosius Mar Thoma]], the head of the [[Eastern Protestant Christianity|Eastern Protestant]] [[Mar Thoma Syrian Church|Saint Thomas Christian]] denomination also openly derided Kallarangatt for attempting to aggravate communal divisions in Kerala.<ref name=":6" />
The former spokesman of the Synod who was removed from that position due to an FIR registered based on a complaint filed by the Syro-Malabar Church back in 2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-31 |title=Document forgery case: Probe team questions Fr Paul Thelakkat, Fr Antony Kallookaran |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2019/May/31/document-forgery-case-probe-team-questions-fr-paul-thelakkat-fr-antony-kallookaran-1983969.html |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>, Father Paul Thelakkat criticised Kallarangatt for having a [[prejudiced]] view of Christian women stating that the majority of medical nurses providing brave service were Christian women while "he sees them as easy prey to any sinister gang and goon" and admonished him for going against [[Pope Francis]]'s efforts to improve relations with other religious communities.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Raghunath|first=Arjun|date=2021-09-16|title=BJP's efforts to cash in on 'narcotic jihad' row in Kerala suffers setback|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/bjps-efforts-to-cash-in-on-narcotic-jihad-row-in-kerala-suffers-setback-1031117.html|access-date=2021-09-26|website=[[Deccan Herald]]|language=en}}</ref> Nuns affiliated to the church held a [[walkout]] protest against [[hate speech]] by Kallanragatt and his supporters, after another priest endorsed him and called for economic boycott of Muslims.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-13|title=Nuns in Kerala Stage Walkout Protesting Priest's Speech Against Muslims|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nuns-kerala-stage-walkout-protesting-priests-speech-against-muslims-155210#:~:text=The%20News%20Minute-,Nuns%20in%20Kerala%20stage%20walkout%20protesting%20priest's%20speech%20against%20Muslims,Franco%20in%20a%20rape%20case.&text=The%20nuns%20are%20Anupama%20Kelamangalathuveliyil,Ancitta%20Urumbil%20and%20Josephine%20Viloonickal.|website=[[The News Minute]]|language=en}}</ref> Senior Nun [[Teena Jose]] demanded Kallrangatt to apologise, accusing him of playing immoral politics and not practising Christ's [[Love of Christ|commandment of love]]. According to her, Christians are moving away from religion while the bishop is abusing the trust of the religious laity with bizarre explanations rather than trying to bring the [[irreligious]] back to the faith. She alleged that he was trying to strengthen an extremist faction of clergy within the church and dishonestly trying to realign it with the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] to meet his own ends. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is traditionally aligned with the [[Indian National Congress]] in its opposition to the [[Communism in Kerala|Communists in the state]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Henry|first=Nikhila|date=2021-09-14|title='Narcotics Jihad': Why is a Catholic Nun Asking a Kerala Bishop to Apologise?|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/narcotics-jihad-why-a-catholic-nun-sister-teena-jose-is-asking-kerala-bishop-mar-joseph-kallarangatt-to-apologise|website=[[The Quint]]|language=en}}</ref> The Catholic oriented Joint Christian Council (JCC) and the Kerala Catholic Reformation Movement (KCRM) criticised Kallarangatt on similar lines, raising concerns that the controversy was purposeful to distract from the sexual assault and corruption allegations surrounding the church's top leadership and created to forge an alliance with the Sangh Parivar in exchange for warding off investigations from agencies of the Narendra Modi government.<ref name=":4" /> ▼
There were also strong condemnations from Muslim organisations who stated that such remarks coming from a bishop was unexpected; criticisms of his statement were made that described it as promoting [[prejudice]] against Muslims among Christians and involved varied demands for retraction, apologies, evidence and clarifications.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 September 2021|title=Kerala Bishop Says Non-Muslims Are Targets of Organised 'Narcotic Jihad', Draws Flak|url=https://thewire.in/communalism/kerala-bishop-says-non-muslims-are-targets-of-organised-narcotic-jihad-draws-flak|website=[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]}}</ref> Some of them organised a protest march in Palai to the Bishop's House demanding legal action against him, it saw the participation of 200 people. It led to a counter protest by supporters of the bishop along with the involvement of several local politicians. Both the marches were broken off by the police and participants charged for violation of [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 protocols]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2021-09-11|title='Narcotic jihad' row: Pala witnesses wave of protests|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/pala-witnesses-wave-of-protests/article36403443.ece|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The [[Hindutva]] proponent right wing Bharatiya Janata Party extended its full support to the bishop claiming that he was revealing the "truth" of a widespread conspiracy that everyone else was trying to hide, several senior state functionaries of the party visited him at his residence after the protests. Joseph Perumthottam, the Archbishop of his ecclesiastical province, Changanacherry had also granted his support to Kallarangatt. He endorsed the bishop through an article in the church controlled newspaper ''[[Deepika (newspaper)|Deepika]]''.
The views of the [[Syro-Malabar Catholic Church]] to which the Bishop belongs, regarding the issue of love jihad was already well known and a synod of its bishops back in January 2020 has issued a statement on similar lines, had extended support to the Bishop in this issue when the controversy erupted by releasing an official statement<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Narcotic jihad’ row: Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Church stands by Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt [Full statement] {{!}} Kerala News |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/india/kerala/article/narcotic-jihad-row-kerala-syro-malabar-church-stands-by-pala-bishop-joseph-kallarangatt-full-statement/815492 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.timesnownews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-22 |title=Pulpit polemics: Bishop’s homily on ‘narcotic jehad’ catches Kerala by surprise |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/communalism/pulpit-polemics/article36535496.ece |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref>
{{Blockquote|
1=“The ongoing controversy over Pala bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangatt’s remarks is unfortunate. It’s clear he never spoke to defame any community, religion or creed. He also stated the same. At the same time, he warned of some organised anti-social activities. They (the leaders) forgot the fact that the speech was made at a Church addressing its followers. Some politicians and media, through their interventions, presented the priest’s speech as an issue between two religions. Such a wrong presentation paved the way for controversy and meaningless discussions," ..... “Those who are consciously campaigning to isolate and attack him by accusing him of preaching religious rivalry are requested to withdraw from it. While context and motive of his speech are clear, we recognise that call for action against him is deliberate,”
|2=the official statement of the Church
|3=
}}
▲TheFrom former spokesman of the Synod who was removed from that position due to an FIR registered based on a complaint filed bywithin the Syro-Malabar Church back in 2019<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-31 |title=Document forgery case: Probe team questions Fr Paul Thelakkat, Frthe Antonyformer Kallookaranspokesman |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2019/May/31/document-forgery-case-probe-team-questions-fr-paul-thelakkat-fr-antony-kallookaran-1983969.htmlof |access-date=2024-05-30the |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>Synod, Father Paul Thelakkat criticised Kallarangatt for having a [[prejudiced]] view of Christian women stating that the majority of medical nurses providing brave service were Christian women while "he sees them as easy prey to any sinister gang and goon" and admonished him for going against [[Pope Francis]]'s efforts to improve relations with other religious communities.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Raghunath|first=Arjun|date=2021-09-16|title=BJP's efforts to cash in on 'narcotic jihad' row in Kerala suffers setback|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/bjps-efforts-to-cash-in-on-narcotic-jihad-row-in-kerala-suffers-setback-1031117.html|access-date=2021-09-26|website=[[Deccan Herald]]|language=en}}</ref> Nuns affiliated to the church held a [[walkout]] protest against [[hate speech]] by Kallanragatt and his supporters, after another priest endorsed him and called for economic boycott of Muslims.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-13|title=Nuns in Kerala Stage Walkout Protesting Priest's Speech Against Muslims|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nuns-kerala-stage-walkout-protesting-priests-speech-against-muslims-155210#:~:text=The%20News%20Minute-,Nuns%20in%20Kerala%20stage%20walkout%20protesting%20priest's%20speech%20against%20Muslims,Franco%20in%20a%20rape%20case.&text=The%20nuns%20are%20Anupama%20Kelamangalathuveliyil,Ancitta%20Urumbil%20and%20Josephine%20Viloonickal.|website=[[The News Minute]]|language=en}}</ref> Senior Nun [[Teena Jose]] demanded Kallrangatt to apologise, accusing him of playing immoral politics and not practising Christ's [[Love of Christ|commandment of love]]. According to her, Christians are moving away from religion while the bishop is abusing the trust of the religious laity with bizarre explanations rather than trying to bring the [[irreligious]] back to the faith. She alleged that he was trying to strengthen an extremist faction of clergy within the church and dishonestly trying to realign it with the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] to meet his own ends. The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is traditionally aligned with the [[Indian National Congress]] in its opposition to the [[Communism in Kerala|Communists in the state]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Henry|first=Nikhila|date=2021-09-14|title='Narcotics Jihad': Why is a Catholic Nun Asking a Kerala Bishop to Apologise?|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/india/narcotics-jihad-why-a-catholic-nun-sister-teena-jose-is-asking-kerala-bishop-mar-joseph-kallarangatt-to-apologise|website=[[The Quint]]|language=en}}</ref> The Catholic oriented Joint Christian Council (JCC) and the Kerala Catholic Reformation Movement (KCRM) criticised Kallarangatt on similar lines, raising concerns that the controversy was purposeful to distract from the sexual assault and corruption allegations surrounding the church's top leadership and created to forge an alliance with the Sangh Parivar in exchange for warding off investigations from agencies of the Narendra Modi government.<ref name=":4" />
The Church then further alleged that the attempts to blame the bishop was done by yielding to pressure from various quarters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=‘Narcotic jihad’ row: Kerala’s Syro-Malabar Church stands by Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt [Full statement] {{!}} Kerala News |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/india/kerala/article/narcotic-jihad-row-kerala-syro-malabar-church-stands-by-pala-bishop-joseph-kallarangatt-full-statement/815492 |access-date=2024-05-30 |website=www.timesnownews.com}}</ref>
MoreoverThere thewere [[Keralaalso Catholicstrong Bishops'condemnations Council]]from (KCBC)Muslim theorganisations officialwho bodystated ofthat allsuch Bishopsremarks ofcoming allfrom threea ritesbishop ofwas Catholicunexpected; Churchescriticisms inof Kerala,his whostatement haswere beenmade raisingthat thedescribed Loveit Jihadas issuepromoting for[[prejudice]] theagainst past several years to reasonably good effectMuslims among believersChristians hasand alsoinvolved issuedvaried ademands statementfor extending its support to Kallarangatturetraction, and other bishops endorsing itapologies, saying that the homily was the Syro-Malabar Church’s official view on a highly controversialevidence and volatileclarifications.<ref topicname=":0" in Kerala./><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-2210 September 2021|title=PulpitKerala polemics:Bishop Bishop’sSays homilyNon-Muslims onAre ‘narcoticTargets jehad’of catchesOrganised Kerala'Narcotic byJihad', surpriseDraws Flak|url=https://frontlinethewire.thehindu.com/the-nationin/communalism/pulpitkerala-polemics/article36535496.ece |accessbishop-date=2024says-05non-30 muslims-are-targets-of-organised-narcotic-jihad-draws-flak|website=Frontline[[The Wire (India)|language=enThe Wire]]}}</ref> Some of them organised a protest march in Palai to the Bishop's House demanding legal action against him, it saw the participation of 200 people. It led to a counter protest by supporters of the bishop along with the involvement of several local politicians. Both the marches were broken off by the police and participants charged for violation of [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 protocols]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|date=2021-09-1311|title=More'Narcotic comejihad' inrow: supportPala forwitnesses Palawave Bishopof protests|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/morepala-comewitnesses-inwave-supportof-for-bishopprotests/article36437320article36403443.ece|access-date=2021-09-26|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The JCC[[Hindutva]] statedproponent thatright thewing twoBharatiya clashingJanata protestParty marchesextended couldits havefull ledsupport to athe riot,<refbishop claiming that he was revealing the name=":4truth" />of anda heldwidespread aconspiracy protestthat everyone else was trying to hide, several senior state functionaries of theirthe ownparty demandedvisited Kallarangatthim toat releasehis aresidence apologyafter andthe raisedprotests. concernsJoseph thatPerumthottam, the Archbishop of his ecclesiastical province, Changanacherry lobbyhad wasalso hijackinggranted his support to Kallarangatt. He endorsed the bishop through an article in the church controlled newspaper ''[[Deepika (newspaper)|Deepika]]''. The [[Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council]] (KCBC) in which Kallarangatt and Perumthottam held influential positions released a statement declaring that it stood by the bishop.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-09-2513|title=JointMore Christiancome Councilin stagessupport protestfor Pala Bishop|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/citiesnational/Kochikerala/jointmore-christiancome-councilin-stagessupport-protestfor-bishop/article36673413article36437320.ece|access-date=2021-09-26|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The JCC stated that the two clashing protest marches could have led to a riot,<ref name=":4" /> and held a protest of their own demanded Kallarangatt to release a apology and raised concerns that the Changanacherry lobby was hijacking the church.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2021-09-25|title=Joint Christian Council stages protest|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/joint-christian-council-stages-protest/article36673413.ece|access-date=2021-09-26|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
The Pala diocese issued a clarification stating that the bishop did not imply that all Muslims were doing so but only a small minority of extremists who were true believers. The same message was reiterated in communications from the KCBC and Archbishop Perumthottam.<ref name=":2" /> The chairman of the [[Kerala Congress (M)]], a member party of the [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]], the communist led ruling coalition in Kerala also extended his support, criticising opponents of the bishop and accusing them of misrepresenting the bishop's statement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Philip|first=Shaju|date=2021-09-13|title=CPM ally Kerala Congress (M) extends support to bishop|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/cpm-ally-kerala-congress-m-extends-support-to-bishop-7504788/|website=[[The Indian Express]]|language=en}}</ref>
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