Church Holds Way of the Cross Procession to Thommankuthu Site of Removed Cross

Quick Summary

• The St. Thomas Church under the Syro Malabar Church organized a Way of the Cross procession to a site near Thommankuthu, Kerala, where the Forest department removed a cross on April 12.
• The church claimed the land is revenue land owned by a local resident for over 60 years and contested its inclusion in reserve forest territory.
• Forest officials stated that the site falls within reserve forest boundaries and argued no ownership documents have been presented by church authorities thus far. A case was filed against 18 individuals, including clergy members, for illegally erecting the cross on reserved land.
• Church leaders accused Forest officials of encroaching on private property and targeting religious symbols; protests and petitions were submitted to higher authorities demanding action against responsible officials.
• Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose criticized efforts to expand forest lands at the expense of farmland or religious structures and sought intervention from Kerala’s Chief Minister regarding official actions.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The conflict between St. Thomas Church and Kerala’s Forest department underscores broader national challenges involving land rights, environmental conservation, and religious sensitivities. While preserving India’s forests is crucial for ecological balance, concerns arise when such efforts clash with historical claims or cultural practices tied to community identity-in this case through religious symbolism like crosses.Notably, both sides seem rooted in their positions: church representatives claim longstanding private ownership outside designated forest areas while Forest authorities cite legal definitions asserting state control over reserve lands as guided by demarcations like ‘Janda.’ Lack of clarity surrounding documentation adds complexity to future resolutions.

Continued protests may escalate tensions unless mediated dialog finds common ground balancing conservation goals with local traditions seen as integral by affected communities-a consideration necessary not just in Thommankuthu but across India’s diverse socio-religious landscape confronting similar dilemmas.read More