Urging social groups to steer clear of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh trap to divide people on communal lines, Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan has warned of stern action against those attempting to break the communal amity in the State.
“Traditionally, all progressive movements in Kerala have witnessed strong resistance from the orthodoxy. But the State has always chosen to tread with the reformists, which resulted in the creation of a modern progressive society as we see today,” the Chief Minister said while inaugurating a public campaign organised by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) here on Thursday.
The event, held in the wake of protests triggered by the Supreme Court verdict allowing all women to worship at the Sabarimala temple, was the fourth in a series of similar meetings planned by the LDF across the State.
Mr. Vijayan cited a reformist movement led by Mannathu Padmanabhan, founder of the Nair Service Society (NSS), against the practice of Nair women being married off to Brahmins.
Flays RSS
Accusing the RSS of attempting to turn the sacred location of Sabariala into a riot zone, Mr.Vijayan also cited a statement by activist Rahul Easwar about the plans to spill blood to get the temple closed. The criminals who came in the guise of devotees attacked devotees, women and media persons.
‘‘Had the Sangh Parivar been so concerned, why did not they come up with an ordinance? This is because any action to overturn the court order will amount to violation of the fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of India,’’ he said.
He further attacked the Congress for supporting the RSS agenda. He reminded that the Congress had earlier supported the entry of all women to Sabarimala and changed its stance for petty politics.
Further, he called upon political parties representing minorities to review their stance on the Sabarimala issue, which indeed helped pushing the RSS agenda.
“Govt forced to act”
Regarding the confusion over the protests at Sabarimala, Mr. Vijayan sought to clarify that the government never intended to intervene in anyone’s right to protest. “We are forced to act as the Sangh criminals, in the guise of devotees, kicked up a ruckus and began assaulting the public,” he said.
Communist Part of India (CPI) district secretary C.K. Sasidharan presided over the event. CPI State secretary Kanam Rajendran and CPI(M) district secretary V.N. Vasavan spoke.
