CPI mouthpiece targets CPM-led government extravaganza

Kollam: The CPI mouthpiece ‘Janayugam daily’  has criticised the CPM-led government for spending public money  for its vested interests and promoting nepotism. The paper was referring to a media seminar being organised by the state-run media academy in Kollam from Monday to Thursday  by spending Rs 1.5 crore from the exchequer. Pro-CPM journalists and activists have converged there to discuss ‘patriotism, democracy and media.’

The paper in its editorial on Wednesday termed the move as ‘condemnable’ and said  public institutions should not be a venue for protecting vested interests.

The international press photography exhibition and the national seminar  had earlier attracted flak from various corners  for its Leftist undertones. The pro-BJP men  had  alleged that the seminar held in a posh hotel was an anti-Modi campaign, pointing at its one-sided participation.

The editorial also flayed  the workshop organised for mediapersons by the state youth welfare board in Thiruvananthapuram  from March 25 to 27  for its protection of “narrow political interests.”  There were protests against the organisers of the camp as it  allegedly denied permission for “other” mainstream youth organisations.

The tendency to avoid  ‘other’ organisations in youth festivals, including that of the  Kerala university,  has triggered heated debates in the state. The editorial has warned against turning the institutions into centres of sectarianism.