Summary:
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 21 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday rejected outright the "narcotic and love jihad" remarks by a Catholic Bishop, saying the southern state is a firm terrain of secularism and society would take strong stand against those who try to upset it.
The statement by the Chief Minister came in the wake of repeated criticism by the opposition with regard to the alleged lack of steps being taken by his administration to assuage the concerns raised by a particular section of society in reference to the Pala Bishop"s remarks.
Inaugurating virtually a CPI(M) Local Committee office building in Palakkad district, Vijayan came down heavily on Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt for his "narcotic jihad" remarks, saying such an expression should not have been used under any circumstances came from any quarter.
Referring to his earlier statements at a press conference on the issue, the Chief Minister said, "I have termed it as unfortunate one day.
I have said this should not have come from a person holding a high position as he holds." Vijayan said the Bishop"s statement was not taken seriously by the society.
"Not many people stood by it.