The State government has to discharge the constitutional responsibility of ensuring peace that has been invested in them, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said.
The Minister was speaking after meeting the families of RSS-BJP workers and city Corporation councillors, who had allegedly come under attack during the recent spate of political violence in Thiruvananthapuram.
Sad scene
“It is extremely sad that in a progressive State such as Kerala, violence of this magnitude has taken place. I have met the relatives of those who had lost their lives, victims who were critically injured and others who had been terrorised. The pattern appears to be that the might of the State is behind the ruling party members who have unleashed terror in the State,” Mr. Jaitley said.
Unprecedented
He said the cycle of violence had been unprecedented with attacks on houses and even party offices.
The police, instead of playing a fair and neutral role, were encouraging those who indulged in violence.
The nation had seen the attack on our party offices, where the police were spectators to the crime.
“In some cases, the police were not merely a spectator but an active collaborator,” he said.
Not in the State’s interest
Mr. Jaitley said this violence was not in the interest of the State or of governance.
“If the State is to grow and progress, peace is absolutely essential. Even political opponents should be able to live in peace and harmony. It is the responsibility of the State government to ensure that peace comes back to the State. I assure our karyakartas and victims that the party will stand strongly behind them. We will make sure that justice is done to them. I also appeal that we must stand together in providing help to those families which have suffered due to continued violence,” he said.
The Union Minister was accompanied by State leaders of the BJP.
