Union Minister Kiren Rijiju with Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil at the Syro-Malabar Church headquarters in Kochi on Monday.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Centre will consider the Syro-Malabar Church’s request to accord Christians the status of a ‘micro minority,’ Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said here on Monday.
Mr. Chandrasekhar said Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil placed the request before Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju during his visit to Mount St. Thomas, the church’s headquarters at Kakkanad here on Monday.
“The Church requested micro minority status because it feels only one religion is getting the resources and benefits of reservations for minorities. Minister Rijiju has promised to consider the proposal fully,” Mr. Chandrasekhar told media, coming out of the meeting with the archbishop, along with the Minister.
The Church was yet to issue any statement on the communication with the Union Minister.
Addressing the media, Mr. Rijiju said the BJP was able to build “good confidence among minorities, especially those who are smaller minorities.”
“All minority communities, which are guaranteed some privileges and protection under the Constitution, will be given protection as per the spirit of the Constitution,” he said.
The Syro-Malabar Church is reportedly planning to send a delegation to Delhi to place the request for micro minority status. The Church also reportedly requested the Minister to invite Pope Leo XIV to India on behalf of the government.
On Assembly poll
Earlier in the day, Mr. Rijiju said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would be fighting the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala with the aim of forming the government. He was speaking to the media after inaugurating the NDA’s zonal office at Thrikkakara here, marking the launch of the alliance’s election campaign in central Kerala.
“For the first time we are entering the election to form the government and to change the political landscape of Kerala. The State always lacked a right government which can take it to the next level of prosperity,” Mr. Rijiju said.
The Minister inaugurated the regional office in the presence of key leaders, including Mr. Chandrasekhar, NDA vice-chairman A.N. Radhakrishnan and Twenty20 chairman Sabu M. Jacob.
The NDA’s election campaign for Kottayam, Alapuzha, Idukki and Ernakulam districts will be coordinated from the office.
Published – February 23, 2026 07:50 pm IST
