Clash in church, KC(M) leader expelled from party

The Kerala Congress (M) has expelled a local leader in Vaikom following his involvement in a recent clash at St. Sebastian’s Church, Prasadagiri, near Varikkamkunnu.

Babu Joseph, vice- president of the party’s Vaikom assembly constituency committee, was summoned to the party office in Kottayam and asked to resign after being implicated in an attack on Fr. John Thottupuram, the priest-in-charge of the church. The incident occurred during a dispute over conducting a unified Mass the previous Sunday.

“Mr. Joseph’s involvement came to light after a video of the incident surfaced on social media. Since then, several party workers have demanded his immediate expulsion,” said a KC(M) leader.

Earlier, the Thalayolaparambu police registered cases in connection with the altercation based on complaints from Fr. John Thottupuram, Fr. Jerin Palathinkal, and two parish members. The clash erupted during a Holy Mass conducted by Fr. Thottupuram when a rival faction, led by Fr. Palathinkal, objected, escalating into a confrontation.