Kerala Orthodox Church Leader Criticizes RSS Over Hate Crimes Against Christians

The Supreme Head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, has expressed criticism towards the Sangh Parivar, accusing it of fostering an environment that enables hate crimes against Christians in India. This marks a notable shift from his previous support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as he now highlights the growing threat to religious minorities.

The remarks come amid a series of attacks on churches and Christmas celebrations across various regions in late 2025. Mathews III emphasized that such incidents cannot be viewed as isolated or confined to specific areas, urging greater awareness of the issue.

He condemned the violence as a “very wrong approach,” specifically targeting RSS-affiliated groups like the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The church leader warned of escalating threats, citing reports of attacks on nuns, priests, and Christmas decorations, and expressed concern that such violence could soon extend to churches themselves.

Mathews III stressed that while extremism can emerge within any religion, the state bears the responsibility to address such issues. He warned that silence from rulers could be misinterpreted as approval, contributing to a climate of tolerance for hate.

Referring to slogans from an attack on Christmas decorations — “We don’t want foreigners or foreign religions here” — the church leader dismissed the claim as historically inaccurate. He compared the RSS’s ideology to the notion of “America for Americans,” arguing that such exclusivity is unsustainable in a diverse India.

He further emphasized India’s complex religious and cultural history, noting that both Aryans and Dravidians were migrants, and that Indian Christians have lived in the country since the first century AD. He stressed that Christians, like Muslims, are indigenous citizens, not foreign entities.

Mathews III reiterated the constitutional right to religious freedom, including the freedom to practice, propagate, and build places of worship. He warned that extremist groups cannot act against these freedoms, and that state support for ignorance could lead to the suppression of minorities.

The church leader concluded by acknowledging the historical role of resistance and martyrdom in Christian tradition, underscoring the community’s preparedness to face persecution. His statements reflect a growing concern within the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church about the protection of religious minorities in India.

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