Kottayam: Amidst debate over the veracity of the visit of St Thomas to Kerala, noted historian M G S Narayanan has rubbished apostle’s visit to the region and converting upper caste Hindus to Christianity.

There was no human habitation in the region during the period when St Thomas had reportedly visited the place.

When there are no people living the area, where is the question of conversion of Brahmin to Christianity, he said at Kozhikkode. The place was a dense forest and there was no trace of human habitation then, he claimed.

Human settlements began towards the end of Mauryan dynasty, he said.

It is common for religious heads and political parties to twist history for their benefit, he said. Even as a section still believe St Thomas visited this area, no one has any proof to back their claim.

The issue of St Thomas cropped up after Bishop Geevarghese Mor Coorilos of the Niranam diocese of Jacobite Syrian Church said the apostle had not visited the state and there was no question of his converting the upper caste Hindus to Christianity.

The Syro Malabar Church representing Catholics said that is no evidence to prove the visit of St Thomas to Kerala. The notion of St Thomas visiting Kerala in the first century and converting brahmins to Christianity is disputable as the migration of brahmins to Kerala began only in the 7th century, Fr Paul Thelakkat, spokesman of the church told media.

However, Fr Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, New Curia Bishop of the the Syro Malabar Church said that there is historical proof of St Thomas’ visit to Kerala.

He said that only a minority of section believed that the apostle did not come to this region.