‘I am always at your service’: PM Modi to Syro-Malabar bishops
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi met a delegation of senior bishops from the Syro-Malabar Church in the national capital on Tuesday to discuss matters concerning the Church and the Christian community in India.
The delegation was led by Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil, head of the Syro-Malabar Church, and included Archbishop Mar Kuriakose Bharanikulangara of the Faridabad Archdiocese, along with several other bishops.
Kerala BJP leaders, including State President and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Shone George, were also present at the meeting.
Described as cordial and constructive, the meeting centred on the welfare of Christian minorities and their role in India’s social and developmental framework. “I am always at your service,” the Prime Minister told the delegation, according to sources present.
While reports initially suggested discussions on inviting the Pope to India, BJP leaders clarified that there was no discussion on the arrest of nuns in Chhattisgarh or on inviting Pope Leo XIV. They also confirmed that there was no discussion on attacks on minorities, though broader concerns related to community development and cooperation were raised.
Following the meeting, Rajeev Chandrasekhar described it as “primarily a courtesy call,” during which the bishops spoke about micro-minority rights and their contribution to nation-building. “The Prime Minister listened attentively and assured the delegation that the government is open to dialogue on all issues,” he said.
He added that the BJP’s approach is one of inclusivity and governance beyond religious lines. “We do not see things through a religious prism. Our party serves all people, and the rule of law will always prevail. The BJP is, and will remain, a party of service,” Chandrasekhar stated.
Sources within the delegation said the bishops appreciated the Prime Minister’s assurance and expressed hope for continued collaboration in the fields of education, social welfare, and community engagement.
Party representatives affirmed that such meetings will continue to strengthen understanding and cooperation between the government and the Church.
The encounter reflects the Church’s increasing engagement with national political leadership, signalling an evolving dialogue between faith-based institutions and the government on issues of minority welfare, social harmony, and participatory development.
The Syro-Malabar bishops are expected to brief the media later in the day regarding the meeting and its outcomes.
