New Delhi/Kochi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held negotiations with the representatives of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church on Tuesday, a day after meeting representatives of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in efforts to resolve the century old dispute between the two groups.
Both the groups issued separate notes on Tuesday, hailing their respective meetings with the prime minister as “cordial and fruitful”.
The feud had intensified after a 2017 Supreme Court order granted the Orthodox group possession of nearly 1,000 churches and properties.
Members of both groups met at Mizoram Bhawan in Delhi for a lunch hosted by governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, who arranged the meetings with Modi.
The Jacobites said their delegates drew Modi’s attention to the “denial of religious freedom, freedom of worship and justice”, and sought his intervention.
They termed the Orthodox faction as a “dissident group” that is “creating issues by misusing” a 2017 Supreme Court order.
“The faithful of the Jacobite Church are evicted from their churches and even denied burial rights in cemeteries.” It said that disputes, especially related to faith, cannot be resolved through endless litigation.
The Jacobite church said Modi carefully listened and assured he would do his best.
The Orthodox faction said they presented before the PM the 3 July 2017 Supreme Court verdict that said there should be a united church based on the 1934 constitution of the Malankara Orthodox Church.
As a public trust, there can be no division or separation of churches within the church, it said in its statement.
The Orthodox faction said Modi gave a patient hearing and expressed hope a reconciliation should be worked out based on the Supreme Court order.
The CPM-led LDF government in Kerala had tried to mediate to end thee feud over the administration of 1,000- odd churches.
Efforts by Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to stitch a peace formula acceptable to both sides did not yield results.
While the Orthodox group stuck to their demand on the 2017 Supreme Court order, the Jacobites claimed the other was “misinterpreting” the order and “taking over” their churches unethically.
Vijayan on Tuesday welcomed Modi’s efforts in initiating talks to resolve the dispute.
“The dispute between the two factions of the Malankara church is serious. The Prime Minister’s decision to intervene and find a solution is welcome,” Vijayan said in Thrissur.
“I do not think there is politics involved in the PM’s intervention”, Vijayan added.