Antony calls for new social reform movements

Expresses dismay at ‘rise in communal hatred’

Recognition: Senior Congress leader A.K. Antony presenting Anganam literary award to Arya Gopi and V.M. Devadas at a function in Kozhikode on Sunday. S. Ramesh Kurup

Senior Congress leader A.K. Antony has expressed dismay at what he called “the rise in communal hatred” in the State.

At a function to give away literary awards instituted by the Thrissur-based Ankanam Samskarika Vedi on Sunday, the former Defence Minister said that social values had eroded in Kerala.

“Because of the work undertaken by social reformers and reformist movements, our State changed a lot when compared with other States. From what Swami Vivekananda famously called ‘a lunatic asylum’, we progressed towards a much better social and economic situation. There was communal amity too. That situation has been changing over a period of time,” Mr. Antony said.

He said that caste and communal feelings had gained upper hand in the State now. Disturbing stories were being revealed every day. “Sexual assault cases are being reported on a daily basis. Kerala can no longer be called God’s Own Country. We have gone back on ensuring women’s safety.”

Worrying trends

Another cause for concern was the rise in consumption of liquor and drugs, Mr. Antony said. “We are competing with Punjab to get the top slot in drug consumption,” he said.

Social and cultural organisations, which should have raised their voice against all these worrying trends, were, however, keeping quiet or were scared of coming out in the open. “There is a tendency not to oppose the establishment. Most of these cultural organisations have lost their ability to fight against cultural decay and communalism,” Mr. Antony said.

He said that individuals and organisations who were disturbed over the communal hatred enveloping the society should rise to the occasion and express their dissent. “We need new social reform movements. Dissent and criticism are part of democracy. Without them, no one can go forward,” he added.

V.M. Devadas, short story writer, and Arya Gopi, poet, were presented the literary awards. R.I. Shamsuddeen and N. Sreekumar, office-bearers of the Vedi, and M.K. Raghavan, MP, were present.