The simmering discontent over the perceived apathy towards farmers in central Travancore erupted into a massive protest as the ‘Karshaka Raksha Nazrani Munnettam,’ organised by the All Kerala Catholic Congress (AKCC) under the Syro-Malabar Church, drew a huge crowd in Changanassery on Saturday.
The protest began with a long march of 1,500 volunteers from Mankombu in Kuttanad in the morning and culminated in a grand rally of 25,000 people in Changanassery town by evening. Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil, head of the Changanassery archdiocese, inaugurated the event.
Addressing the gathering, Archbishop Tharayil warned of severe consequences for the government’s perceived neglect of farmers, settlers in forest fringes, and the Christian community at large. He emphasised that the Christian community in Kerala would not be swayed by empty election promises.
“Christians are being forced to stand united against government negligence. If the authorities believe they can continue to overlook our fundamental concerns, they should understand that Christians have the strength to rise again. People are losing their lives to wild animal attacks while the government remains passive, with State and central authorities engaged in a blame game. In the past two months alone, 11 people have died from wild animal attacks, yet human lives seem to hold no value to those in power. If this situation continues, we have no choice but to take to the streets,” he said.
He also highlighted other pressing issues, including the struggles of farmers in Kuttanad, the stalemate in teacher recruitment at aided schools, and the delay in implementing the recommendations of the J.B. Koshy Commission, which was appointed to study the challenges faced by Christians in Kerala.
Former head of the Changanassery archdiocese, Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam, delivered the benediction, while AKCC president Biju Sebastian presided over the event.
