Tue Jul 08 12:21:31 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, focusing on the Indian perspective:

**Headline: BJP Welcomes Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Call for Youth Political Engagement**

**IDUKKI, Kerala, July 8, 2025** – In a move aimed at strengthening ties with Kerala’s Christian community, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has embraced a recent call from the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) urging young people to become actively involved in mainstream politics. The appeal comes ahead of crucial local body and Assembly elections in the state.

BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar publicly lauded the KCBC’s initiative, emphasizing its alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of fostering youth leadership and development. Chandrasekhar highlighted Modi’s “politics of performance” agenda, suggesting that talented young people from all backgrounds are needed to contribute to Kerala’s progress.

The KCBC’s circular, issued on Church’s Youth Day (July 6), addressed the perceived reluctance of Christian youth to participate in politics. It encouraged youngsters with leadership skills and critical thinking abilities to enter the political arena to address societal issues. The circular emphasized the need for Catholic youth organizations to train and nurture future leaders.

While the KCBC stressed the importance of political engagement, spokesperson Fr. Thomas Tharayil clarified that the Church does not endorse any specific political party, emphasizing that joining a party is a personal decision. The Church’s goal, according to Fr. Tharayil, is to encourage participation in nation-building through the political process, rather than supporting anti-political movements.

This move is viewed by analysts as a strategic effort by the BJP to broaden its appeal in Kerala, a state where it has historically struggled to gain significant electoral traction. By welcoming the KCBC’s call, the BJP hopes to position itself as a party open to dialogue and collaboration with the Christian community, potentially impacting the upcoming elections.

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