The Roman Catholic church in Kerala is asking Christians not to vote for atheists — a reference to the Southern Indian state’s ruling Marxists — in the coming general elections, saying they are trying to destroy faith.

While the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), which leads the Left government in the state, says the allegations are unfair and that it has always tried to protect minorities, the church is far from convinced.

The Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC) has prepared a pastoral letter, which will be read during Sunday masses, urging the laity not to vote for those preaching atheism, in the April 16 Lok Sabha elections.

"The Marxist government is questioning the very existence of the church itself. They propagate atheism," said Philip Njaralakattu, a key member in Kerala’s Inter-Church Council and top priest in the Palai diocese.

"They are hatching a conspiracy against the church. They see the church as a stumbling block to setting up permanent Marxist rule in the state."

Thomas Issac, Kerala finance minister and CPI-M central committee member, rejected the church’s allegations and said the party and the government were willing to discuss and sort out the issues.

"We are not going to interfere in the affairs of the church. We are ready to discuss the issues and sort them out. We will wait till the church comes to that point," Issac told IANS.

This is not the first time the church has upped the ante against the Marxists.

Kerala’s first government, led by Communist leader E.M.S. Namboodiripad, was dismissed in 1959 by the central government following protests of the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Roman Catholic church, two fronts known for their anti-Marxist stand.

The EMS government’s decision to introduce the Education Bill provoked the two influential communities to launch what they called "a liberation struggle."

While Issac said the present circumstances were not a situation for "a second liberation struggle" in the state, Njaralakkattu did not dismiss the possibility.

"People are upset over the policies and programs of the Marxist government," said Njaralakattu.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India said the church in Kerala is united in its fight against forces propagating atheism and using violence.