Discovery of idol, temple remnants from Church land sparks harmony

WHILE claims of Hindu idols being found under Muslim shrines have sparked tensions in some North Indian states, the discovery of temple remnants and idols from the land of a bishop's house in Kerala has evoked a different reaction - one of maturity and communal harmony.

- ABHILASH CHANDRAN @Kottayam

Without any violent clashes or the need for intervention by the court and government authorities, both communities are seeking ways to settle the case cordially.

A week ago, remnants of a temple, a shivling and an idol of Goddess Parvathi were unearthed from the land owned by the Syro-Malabar Church's Pala diocese while preparing the plot for tapioca cultivation. The surprise discovery occurred when the excavator dug into the soil. The development sparked curiosity among the local people, leading Hindu devotees to begin offering prayers before the idol.