Syro-Malabar Church Condemns Fabricated Social Media Campaigns on FCRA Amendment
In a firm statement issued on Friday, the Syro-Malabar Church based in Kochi has publicly denounced what it describes as completely false and malicious social media campaigns. These campaigns have been utilizing photographs of the Church's major archbishop and its official spokesperson in connection with the ongoing debates surrounding the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) amendment bill.
Church Exposes Fake Posters and Misattributed Quotes
The Church's media commission took the step of sharing examples of these deceptive posters on its social media platforms. One such poster prominently features an image of the major archbishop alongside a fabricated quote that has been falsely attributed to him. Similarly, another poster places a photograph of the Church spokesperson, Fr Tom Olikkarott, adjacent to a completely fake statement.
The Church's official post clarified unequivocally that no such opinion or discussion regarding the FCRA amendment bill has ever taken place at any level within the Syro-Malabar Church hierarchy. It emphasized that these campaigns are deliberate attempts to mislead the public and create unnecessary controversy.
Spokesperson Warns of Misconstrued Protests and False Narratives
Fr Tom Olikkarott had previously addressed concerns about attempts to misconstrue the legitimate protests of Christian communities against the proposed FCRA amendments. He noted that some entities are trying to link these protests to unrelated accounts, thereby distorting the genuine constitutional and legal objections raised by the community.
"When a serious issue like constitutional violation behind the move is addressed, such false narratives are created to neutralize the objections and silence the Church," Fr Olikkarott stated. He expressed confidence that the public possesses the wisdom and vigilance required to ignore these deceptive campaigns, which he believes are aimed at disrupting the religious harmony prevalent in the country.
Call for Public Discernment and Vigilance
The Church's statement concluded with an appeal to the public to exercise caution and critical thinking when encountering information on social media, especially concerning sensitive matters like religious and legal issues. It reiterated its commitment to peaceful dialogue and lawful means of expressing concerns, distancing itself entirely from the fabricated content circulating online.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age, particularly when it involves influential religious figures and contentious legislative matters. The Syro-Malabar Church's proactive stance serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying sources and resisting the spread of falsehoods that can harm social cohesion.
