Kerala and its government should prepare public opinion against all forms of communalism
Kerala and its government should prepare public opinion against all forms of communalism
Slogans raised by a child at a rally in Alappuzha, Kerala on 21st May Not only were they shuddering for the death threats he made. The fact that an innocent child can be taught and educated in such a way as to invoke violence reflects a communal storm that is knocking in the state. rally organizer, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), rebutted the slogans, but not in any convincing way. The Islamist group’s claim that its rally was to save the republic does not cut ice given its track record and the threatening stances it has taken in recent years. It is only using the democratic space and the prevailing Hindutva environment to advance its dangerous, nihilistic communal agenda. At least five people have died in Kerala SDPI-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) rivalry In recent months in the state in April, in Palakkad, an SDPI worker and an RSS worker were killed in the space of a day; In December 2021, a SDPI state secretary and Bharatiya Janata Party OBC Morcha state secretary were similarly murdered in Alappuzha. Earlier in November, an RSS worker working in Palakkad was murdered. All these killings were brutal in nature, and added an unmistakable communal color to the violence in Kerala, unlike the occasional clashes between the RSS and the CPI(M).
The latest incident is not alone. Muslim anger is being used by extremist organisations, who dismiss the Indian Union Muslim League, a constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, as a meaningless political platform for the community. The BJP and the RSS are pushing vigorously to increase their presence in the state. A poisonous cloud of communalism is enveloping the state, as Hindu, Christian and Islamic groups and crooked politicians try to profit from the disharmony. Opposition Congress and BJP have condemned the Alappuzha incident and criticized the ruling CPI(M) for disturbing ambiguity on the issue. Kerala Police has registered an FIR in connection with the provocative slogans, but what is missing is a political message. Both in words and in action, the Kerala government and the ruling Left Democratic Front led by the CPI(M) must make it clear that any call or mobilization for violence in the state is unacceptable. Political expediency should not be a determinant in response to communalism. Along with strong administrative measures, Kerala must consolidate all its inherent strengths through popular mobilization against all forms of communalism – Hindu, Christian or Muslim. The government should take the initiative.