Political Tension Erupts in Kerala Over Church and UDF Conflict

Tensions have escalated between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Catholic Church in Kerala following the Assembly elections held on April 9, 2026. BJP leaders have accused Church heads of directing voters toward the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), leading to a public rift involving high-ranking party officials and religious representatives.

Shone George, the BJP state vice president, claimed that the party was ditched by Church leaders. He alleged that the Church urged its followers to support the UDF, despite the BJP’s efforts to maintain a positive relationship with the community over the previous two years.

Conflict Over FCRA Amendments

The friction is largely centered on a proposed amendment to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). BJP leaders stated that the Union government had introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the FCRA, which caused significant fallout with the Church. Shone George asserted that the BJP intervened to have the Bill shelved, arguing that the party had stood by the Church during this period.

P.C. George, who contested the Poonjar seat, supported these claims, questioning the opposition to the FCRA Bill. He argued that there is no issue with requiring the furnishing of details regarding foreign funds. He further alleged that a bishop had specifically requested nuns within his diocese to vote for the UDF.

Shone George suggested that some individuals within the Church act as agents for others and warned that if the Church does not want the BJP, the party may also have to decide that it does not want the Church.

UDF and Catholic Response

The UDF has dismissed the warnings issued by BJP leaders. Mani C. Kappan stated that the threats made by Shone George would not be effective. This comes as the UDF continues to be the primary target of the Church’s political preferences in the current election cycle.

The Catholic Congress has also issued a sharp response to P.C. George, describing his and Shone George’s comments as the actions of political infants and stating that such behavior is a disgrace to Kerala.

Mathu Kuzhalnadan stated that the intimidation tactics employed by P.C. George and Shone George would not carry any weight.

Context of Christian Political Engagement

The current political climate in Kerala has left the Christian community, particularly the Syro-Malabar Church, feeling increasingly insecure. This insecurity is attributed to a polarized landscape and the growing presence of the BJP. The community has also struggled to maintain its traditional connection to power following the deaths of prominent leaders such as K.M. Mani and Oommen Chandy.

Reports from March 17, 2026, indicate that the Church has been pressuring the UDF for clear representation in the assembly elections. This move follows a perceived lack of consideration from successive Left Democratic Front (LDF) governments, leading the Church to seek a change of guard.

The BJP’s outreach to Christians in Kerala has also been complicated by reports of communal violence elsewhere in India. In December 2025, political leaders from both the LDF and UDF accused the BJP of hypocrisy, citing attacks on Christians and disruptions of Christmas celebrations in states like Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, while the party simultaneously attempted to woo the community in Kerala.

In Palakkad, Kerala, a Christmas carol group was reportedly assaulted by a local RSS affiliate in December 2025, further straining the relationship between the Sangh Parivar-linked groups and the Christian minority.