Kerala blasts: Understanding the mysterious sect called Jehovah’s Witnesses

livemint.com:

At 9:30 am on Sunday morning, a series of explosions reverberated through the usually serene environs of Kalamassery town in Ernakulam district of Kerala, around 200 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, sending shockwaves through the state and the nation. At least one person (as yet unnamed) was killed and dozens were hurt. Shaik Darvesh Saheb, head of the state police, confirmed to journalists that an IED (improvised explosive device) was used in the multiple explosions.

It is not known who set off the blasts, but the police haven't thrown out the idea that they might have had something to do with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, which is a big political debate in Kerala. The state’s Muslim organisations have held protests and marches to support Palestine, and on the other hand, most of the Christian community's leaders have backed Israel. But there had been no fighting between the two groups earlier.

A stakeholder of a Christian community in the district, author, and former MP Sebastian Paul even wondered if the explosions were part of a plan to make people hate Muslims and cause trouble in Kerala. The blasts happened at Zamra International Convention in Kalamassery during a three-day prayer convention that started on Friday. The convention was organised by a religious group called Jehovah's Witnesses, which has now naturally come into focus.

Seen in Kerala as part of the state’s Christian society--happy, austere teachers who don't celebrate birthdays or festivals, and don’t go for modern medical care like blood transfusions, etc.--the Jehovah’s Witnesses are in reality “more Jewish than Christian", according to former MP Paul. They do not see Jesus as God. The only God they believe in is