Kerala BJP’s Christian outreach plan faces headwinds as core Hindutva outfits flag conversion issue

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala BJP’s plans to expand its support base by wooing the Christian community ahead of the 2026 assembly elections have come under a shadow, with core Hindutva outfits hardening their stance on religious conversions across the country.

Given Kerala’s demographics—where Muslim and Christian minorities together account for nearly half of the state’s population—the BJP cannot significantly boost its electoral prospects without securing at least a section of the minority vote. It was with this reality in mind that the party’s state leadership began courting sections of the Christian community, especially those from traditional church denominations such as the Syrian Catholic rite.

Although this outreach made some initial progress, aggressive posturing by hardcore Hindutva outfits against organised religious conversions allegedly carried out by church establishments in various states has often undermined the BJP’s efforts.

The latest trigger for uproar among Kerala’s Christian establishments was an article in the RSS mouthpiece Kesari that came down heavily on organised conversions. The piece, written by a state office-bearer of the Hindu Aikya Vedi, argued that mass conversions pose a serious threat to India’s integrity and cultural unity. It called for strong measures to curb organised and forced conversions, framing such action as essential not only to safeguard the country’s Hindu-majority demography but also to check divisive and extremist tendencies.

The article further defended anti-conversion laws in force in several states, particularly those governed by the BJP in the Hindi heartland. It also criticised secular political parties for allegedly turning a blind eye to conversions for political gain, accusing them of protesting only when action is taken against minority organisations in states like Chhattisgarh.

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Reacting strongly, the Catholic church-run daily Deepika denounced the arguments, claiming they exposed the “hidden agenda” of Hindutva forces. The paper also published a sharply-worded editorial warning Christian political leaders to remain vigilant against attempts to discredit the community’s educational and charitable work.

State BJP leaders have, however, chosen not to comment openly on the controversy. The Congress and the ruling CPI(M) have predictably seized on the issue to attack the saffron party.

Sections of the BJP leadership remain confident that the controversy will eventually blow over as a storm in a teacup. They argue that many Christians are eager to build bridges with the BJP, given that their political clout has waned under the prolonged dominance of CPI(M)- and Congress-led coalitions in the state.

Traditionally, Kerala’s Christian community has aligned with the Congress-led UDF. But with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) becoming increasingly assertive within the coalition, regional Christian political outfits have been relegated to minor roles. Some have shifted allegiance to the LDF, while a few others have openly supported the BJP or joined the NDA.

BJP leaders also contend that mainstream Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, have long abandoned organised religious conversion activities within Kerala. They argue that much of the current evangelical activity is carried out by groups outside the traditional denominations, targeting members of established churches themselves.