KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Tuesday asked the state government whether it intends to introduce a legislation to end the feud between Orthodox and Jacobite factions.
A division bench comprising justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Sophy Thomas referred to the suggestions put forward by a panel headed by justice KT Thomas and asked whether the government intends to act on them or introduce a legislation.
Kerala Law Reforms Commission headed by justice Thomas had submitted a bill to the government for holding a referendum to determine the ownership of churches and associated institutions.
At the hearing, state attorney KV Sohan submitted that the recommendations made by the panel is under consideration of the government.
The court’s query came while considering an appeal against a single bench’s directive to CRPF to take over Kothamangalam Marthoma Church as the two factions are fighting for control. The order was passed on a contempt of court plea alleging that the court’s directive to the government and police to take control of the church by January 8th was not implemented.
Contention of the government is that the single bench’s directive is an interference with the sovereign power of a government to control a law and order situation. The government and the police have the power to assess the law and order situation in a state and take action, government has argued.
