Cultural collective to counter Kannur's politics of violence

Kozhikode: The cultural leaders of the state have decided to form a collective in Kannur to  resist the politics of violence in the district in the wake of the killing of Youth Congress leader Suhaib. They plan to fight the brutal fascism which ties up with the Hindutva fascism in the  country and create an awareness that politics of violence has nothing to do with politics.

The first convention of the ‘Democratic, cultural collective’ will be held in Kannur on March 6. “We have to sit together and find ways to take the message to the masses. Rather than becoming a temporary movement,   the initiative is envisioned to be an active presence in the cultural milieu of Kannur,” says P.J. Baby,  general convener.  Writer N. Sasidharan is the chairman of the collective and close to 50  prominent cultural figures will cooperate with the idea, including K. Satchidanandan, Sachariah, KGS, Sara Joseph and Kureepuzha Sreekumar.  

Another block of Left intelligentsia, including  Vaisakhan, K.E.N. Kunjahammad and  director Kamal has condemned the politics of violence in Kannur, though in a milder tone.    Both the blocks contain common names such as Dr Sunil P. Ilayidam, Gulab Jan, Anil Kumar Thiruvoth, Anil Chelembra and others.  “The recent incident indicates that killing has become infectious beyond the two main rival parties,” notes N. Sasidharan. The collective’s attempt is to focus on Kannur city in the beginning and to spread a  ray of hope to other places.