New Delhi [India], April 14 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the “denial” of permission by the Delhi Police for the Kuruthola Pradakshinam (Palm Sunday procession) was unjustifiable and a violation of the freedom of religion and secular values guaranteed by the Constitution.
“The Delhi Police’s action in denying permission for the Kuruthola Pradakshinam (Palm Sunday procession) at the Sacred Heart Church in Delhi is protestable. Permission was denied for the Pradakshina to be held from St. Mary’s Church to Sacred Heart Church. This is a violation of the freedom of religion and secular values guaranteed by the Constitution. Such actions that harm the religious beliefs of minorities are not in keeping with a pluralistic society,” the Kerala Chief Minister said in a statement.
“The procession takes place between St. Mary’s Church and Sacred Heart Cathedral, honouring the Passion of Jesus Christ.”
Earlier on Sunday, the Diocesan Executive Committee (DEXCO Team) confirmed in a statement that the permission was denied.
“We’ve just received an important update from the authorities — the police have not granted permission for tomorrow’s ANNUAL WAY OF THE CROSS procession. As a result, the procession stands cancelled,” it said.
Congress MP KC Venugopal also reacted to the incident and claimed that it was not an isolated incident but a targeted discrimination.
“The BJP’s can’t even keep up its ‘so-called pro-Christian’ gimmick for a single week. First, the Organiser article targeting Church properties, and now the Delhi Police has denied permission for the sacred procession on the holy day of Palm Sunday,” Venugopal said on X.
“Are Christians in Delhi excluded from Article 25 of the Constitution that guarantees freedom of religion? Since when did practising faith become a threat? This is not an isolated incident – it’s targeted discrimination. Wrote to the Home Minister, to whom the Delhi Police reports, against this decision,” the Congress MP said. (ANI)
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