Thiruvananthapuram | Days after disappointment surfaced within Kerala's Latin Catholic community over the lack of adequate recognition in the newly formed Congress-led UDF government, Fisheries Minister V E Abdul Gafoor met Archbishop Thomas Netto at the Church headquarters on Friday.
The meeting came against the backdrop of growing concern among sections of the Latin community, which had expected a Cabinet berth for a Congress MLA from the community in the new government.
There was also hope that the Fisheries Department-closely linked to the lives of coastal Christian fishing families-would be allotted to a Christian representative.
Instead, the portfolio was given to the Indian Union Muslim League, triggering disappointment among Church leaders and members of the community.
The Church had demanded that the fisheries portfolio be given either to Shibu Baby John, the RSP representative in the government, or to C P John of the CMP, another constituent of the Congress-led UDF.
Soon after the minister's visit, Church representatives spoke openly about the unease within the community.
"We did not get the representation we deserved in the ministry. The department we expected also did not come to us. There is concern over this, and we hope it can be resolved through friendly discussions," a Church representative told reporters.
The Church also hinted that political manoeuvring within the coalition had denied the community its rightful place in the Cabinet.
For many in Kerala's coastal belt, the Fisheries portfolio is not seen as just another department.
It is closely tied to the everyday struggles of fishermen who face rough seas, rising fuel costs, coastal erosion, and safety concerns at sea.
Church leaders had publicly argued that the department should be handled by someone who understands the lives and hardships of fishing communities.
At the same time, the Church avoided confrontation with the new minister, a representative of the IUML, and signalled its willingness to work together on issues affecting fishermen.
Minister Gafoor described the visit as a routine courtesy call and said the discussions were cordial.
"We will move forward by taking everyone along," he told reporters after the meeting.
He also said the Church leadership had assured support and did not raise any personal grievances during the interaction.
