Malayora Vikasana Samithy to bat for agrarian pride

KOZHIKODE: Is the Malayora Vikasana Samithy (MVS), a new incarnation of Paschimaghatta Jana Samrakshana Samithy (PJSS), the dormant farmers’ movement patronized by the Church?  MVS has been in the news for demanding that the IUML should return the Thiruvambadi constituency to the Congress for better representing the agrarian issues.

Though the Church denies any relationship with the MVS, many think that the new outfit is another front of the Church to voice the opinions and organise ‘things’ beyond the spiritual realms.

Bishop Remegius Inchananiyil is a fiery voice among bishops whose inflammatory speeches triggered  violence in the agrarian districts in Malabar in 2013 during the anti-Kasturirangan protests. Forest offices, vehicles and police personnel were attacked widely by the hooligans who were part of the agitation led by the PJSS. In total,  42 cases were charged against the agitators and most of them were withdrawn by the UDF ministry.

The statement of industries minister P.K. Kunhalikkutty that the UDF has done maximum to the Church has to be weighed against these facts. MVS chairman Chacko Kalamparambil told DC that the organization, though a recent avatar, has its roots in the past. “It is a joint platform of many Church-centric organizations, including Infam, Kerala Catholic Congress and Farmers’ Relief Forum,”  he added.

On a possible tie-up with the LDF,  Mr Chacko said, “now the LDF has expressed its willingness to cooperate with us and we will sit together on whatever areas we would be able to cooperate”.

“After all we have the Idukki experiment where the Church and LDF joined hands resulted in the victory of Joyce George. But the Thamarassery diocese is not ready to accept that MVS is the  brainchild of the diocese.

Thamarassery diocese chancellor Fr Abraham Kavilpurayidam reiterated that the diocese has nothing to do with the organization. Now the Church is out of the scene and it is up to MVS to plan their course of action,”  Fr Kavilpurayidam said. However CPM Kozhikode district secretary P. Mohanan said that the party is ready for talks with MVS.