The Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference Jagratha Commission has said that communal polarisation by the ruling BJP has played a "big role" in the Manipur violence, and urged every Indian to learn "a lesson" from the incidents and identify those responsible.

"What has become clear in Manipur is the face of the BJP that comes to power by giving big promises and then changes its colour," the commission, whose objective is to "promote social harmony and peace, spreading the message of humanity and oneness based on Gospel values", has said in a report.

"As in other states, the influence of extreme Hindutva organisations was evident in the BJP's political interventions in Manipur. Going by that, everyone in India needs to take the happenings in Manipur as a lesson.

"Unless we identify those who spread hatred to create vote banks to remain in power, it is certain that the entire nation, and not just one state, would have to face the consequences."

The commission, which drew up its report from information provided by Church leaders in Manipur, said: "Deep chasms have already been created between Manipur's tribal communities that were heading in the path of harmony by overcoming their traditional rivalries….

"The people need to understand who was behind such a communal polarisation. The sustained pressure on tribal communities and the unrest within them only formed an ideal background for this violence. The policies and change of approach by Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh, who is a Meitei, has a big role in this."

The commission secretary, Fr Michael Pulickal, told The Telegraph on Tuesday that the Manipur violence should be a warning to those impressed by the BJP's recent outreach to Christians in Kerala.

"We are against such a double standard in promising protection to the Christian community in Kerala while doing exactly the opposite by targeting the same community in other states. Such a political ideology does not augur well for our democracy and will destroy the soul of our nation."