Narcotic jihad
 | An editor has performed a search and found that sufficient sources exist to establish the subject's notability. (September 2021) |
Narcotic jihad is a term that gained popularity through media frenzy in Kerala, India when Syro-Malabar Catholic bishop of Palai Rev. Joseph Kallarangatt mentioned about the term and it's dangers in his homily at Marth Mariam Major Archiepiscopal Kuravilangad Church on the Feast of the Nativity of Mary on 8 September 2021. The situation got very controversial as many critics argued mentioning of the word "jihad" would lead to communal violence and divisions among the religious communities of Kerala. The theory of narcotic jihad is the activity of spoiling the life of non-Muslims, particularly youths, by making them addicted to drugs.[1][2][3][4][5]
V. D. Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition of the Kerala Assembly condemned Bishop Kallarangatt's statement. He said "Do not break the communal harmony in Kerala. This is a very sensitive stage so there are a lot of people behind it and a lot of people want to create a rift between the two major religions".[6] Syriac Orthodox (Jacobite) bishop Rev. Coorilose Geevarghese rejected Bishop Kallarangatt's claim and stated that Kerala Christians face no threat.[7] Supporters of Bishop Kallarangatt argue he mentioned only a "very few" faction of Muslims were engaged in religious extremism such as narcotic jihad in his homily. And they argue the term has been used in other countries as well. Union minister V. Muraleedharan in support of the bishop said "It is a well-known fact that drug trafficking is the main source of revenue of many terrorist groups including ISIS and across the world. What is wrong in saying that it exists in Kerala also?" Auxillary bishop of Palai Rev. Jacob Muricken said in a statement "He (Kallarangatt) only gave a warning about the dangerous trends prevalent in society". The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, argued religious leaders should refrain from making any statements that would cause division in society.[8]
Others argue the term "jihad drug" was reported in the Malaysian newspaper Malay Mail in the same year (April 2021), while Malaysia being a Muslim majority country, when the Malaysian Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) seized 650 kg of Captagon pills an amphetamine drug known as “jihad drug”, worth 221.86 million Malaysian ringgit (or 53 million USD).[9] While on June 2021, the former director general of police of Kerala Police, Lokanath Behera, said that “Islamic sleeper cells exist in Kerala” on the day of his retirement.[10]
References
- ^ "Kerala bishop claims Muslims have launched 'narcotics jihad', faces criticism". Scroll.in. Sep 10, 2021.
- ^ "Political sparring over 'narcotic jihad' sermon intensifies". The_Hindu.
- ^ "Archbishop backs Kerala priest on 'narcotic jihad'". The_Times_of_India.
- ^ ""Voice Of Community": BJP On Kerala Bishop's "Love, Narcotic Jihad" Claim". NDTV.
- ^ "'Don't create communal divide:' Kerala Bishop's remark on 'narco jihad' draws flak". The_News_Minute.
- ^ Asian News International (2021-09-11). "Don't disrupt communal harmony: VD Satheesan on Kerala Bishop's 'love, narcotics jihad' comment". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ Henry, Nikhila (2021-09-16). "'Kerala Christians Face No Threat': First Bishop To Deny 'Narcotics Jihad' Claim". TheQuint. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ Staff, Onmanorama (2021-09-11). "'Pala Diocese comes out with explanation over narcotic jihad remark'". Online Manorama. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ Staff, MalayMail (2021-04-09). "RM221m worth of 'jihad drugs' seized in Port Klang". Malaymail.com. Retrieved 2021-09-16.
- ^ Jacob, Jeemon (2021-08-18). "Why Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is denying the existence of IS sleeper cells in Kerala". indiatoday.in. Retrieved 2021-09-16.