Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Monday that the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) silence on recent moves by certain caste-based and religious organisations was a threat to the casteless and secular society in the State.
Inaugurating a seminar on ‘The Disintegrating Kerala Model’, organised by the AKG Study Centre and the Kerala Municipal and Corporation Staff Union (KMCSU) in connection with the Union’s 48 State conference here on Monday, Mr. Vijayan said one of the signs of the famed Kerala Model of social development gradually crumbling was the silence, and in turn, support, and encouragement extended by the government and the ruling front to caste-based and religious organisations.
The State, starting with landmark initiatives like land reforms set in motion by the 1957 EMS government, had developed a casteless and secular society, apart from moving ahead of other States when it came to aspects of education, primary health care, minimum wages and even housing. However, the UDF, whenever it came to power, had made attempts to reverse any such efforts taken up by successive LDF governments and over the years, the State was now facing increasing unemployment, steep fall in quality of education, tough challenges in the health and power sectors apart from poor law and order situation. Economic growth was not in proportion with social development while agricultural production and the industry sector could barely keep pace with the changing times. Social discrimination, courtesy the support of the UDF to casteist and communal forces, was on the rise as well.
He said the people should exercise caution against such trends. They should realise that the State was not in the control of these forces or organisations. The majority of the people in Kerala thought beyond religion and caste, but these few were attempting to inject poison into their minds and this was something that had to be given serious thought, he said. CPI (M) district secretary Kadakampally Surendran, C. Ravindranath, MLA, Cherian Philip and K.M. Harilal also spoke.
Murali plea to Congress
Special Correspondent adds from Kottayam. Muraleedharan, MLA and Congress leader, has cautioned the party leadership against antagonising community organisations and coalition partners.
He told presspersons here on Monday that such an attitude would do no good to the party. Community organisations such as the Nair Service Society and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam had joined hands earlier also. They had directly intervened in politics through political parties when K. Karunakaran had been the leader of the UDF. But he could use the situation to the benefit of the front.
He said that since all political parties and leaders sought the help of community organisations during elections, they had the responsibility to listen to them after the elections.
He said the CMP and the JSS were brought into the UDF at the initiative of Karunakaran. The leadership of the front had the responsibility to ensure that they continued in the coalition.
