Bonacaud pilgrimage next month, case pending in court

Thiruvananthapuram: Though the dispute over Way of the Cross pilgrimage on Karichattimala Hill at Bonacaud is still pending before the court, Neyyatinkara Latin Catholic Diocese has announced that the 62nd edition of the pilgrimage will be observed from April 10 to April 19 this year. Making the announcement on Saturday, the diocese authorities said that all arrangements in connection with the pilgrimage season have been completed.
Annually, the diocese conducts Way of the Cross pilgrimage from Bonacaud Church to Karichattimala hilltop (8km). Last year, the pilgrims could not undertake the pilgrimage after two individuals approached the high court against the trek on forestland. Following this, they had to restrict the pilgrimage to a procession within half-a-kilometre around Bonacaud church.

Police has been in a vigilant mode since the announcement was made. Rural SP B Ashokan said that the police would be closely watching the preparations and events of the pilgrimage. “We would adopt all measures to ensure that law and order is maintained. If needed, additional forces would be deployed,” the SP said.

The case is now pending before the forest court at Nedumangad after being transferred by the high court. Sources close to the diocese said forest court has conducted several rounds of hearing in the case and is expected to pass an order by month-end.

‘’If the order is in our favour, we will march to the hilltop or else the pilgrimage will be conducted between Bonacaud estate and church, covering a distance of 4km,” said spokesperson of the diocese.

The previous year’s pilgrimage season was marred with conflicts, including a dispute with the forest department and clashes with BJP/RSS workers as well as the police.

Problems had started when the diocese erected two concrete crosses at a height of over 7 feet on the hill two years ago. The forest department issued them a notice to remove the crosses citing that it was illegal to construct concrete structures on forestland. The diocese authorities approached the government against this. But, in August 2017, the two concrete crosses were found to be demolished. The protest march taken out by the believers following this had ended in violence. Police had registered cases.

Even though the diocese leadership secured permission from the forest minister to install a 10-feet-high wooden cross on the hill, the high court on August 29, 2017 issued an order directing to maintain status quo, based on two separate petitions received from BJP workers.

Despite the court order, the diocese went ahead and installed a new wooden cross on the hill on September 1, following which the forest department registered a case. However, this cross was also destroyed on November 27.