On Wednesday, hundreds of members of a Hindu organisation marched in support of the building of a $900 million port in southern India while yelling anti-local Catholic church chants.
Before the supporters could enter the port, where the Adani Group’s work has been suspended for nearly four months due to opposition from a predominantly Christian fishing village, riot police in riot gear prevented them with barriers.
They claim that erosion brought on by the port in Vizhinjam has negatively impacted their way of life. The state of Kerala and the company owned by billionaire Gautam Adani have refuted claims that the port is harming the environment.
Members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party and those who support the port claim that it will provide jobs for the area. They have erected impromptu camps across the site’s access road. The entrance is blocked by a sizable protest shelter constructed by the Christian demonstrators as well.
According to the local police, they had not authorised the Hindu group’s action. Police have often refrained from using greater force against either side out of concern that doing so may fuel racial and religious tensions.
