Kerala CPM leader s mortuary threat to Yuva Morcha triggers major controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Kerala CPM leader P Jayarajan has triggered a major controversy by stating that if BJP youth wing Yuva Morcha raised its hand against Kerala Assembly speaker A N Shamsheer, then its place would be in a mortuary.

Jayarajan said the Yuva Morcha was under the illusion that it would succeed in isolating Shamsheer. The CPM leader's remarks were in response to Yuva Morcha general secretary K Ganesh's statement at a recent protest meeting in which he stated that if Shamsheer insulted Hindu Gods then he would meet the fate of Prof T J Joseph. It may be recalled that Prof Joseph's was chopped off by PFI activists in 2010 alleging blasphemy.

It all started with the Speaker's remarks at the Vidya Jyothi event held at Kunnathunadu GHSS on July 21. In his speech, Shamseer stated that instead of achievements in the field of science and technology, attempts were being made to teach the children the myths of Hindu mythology.

The speaker further said that it is being established that infertility treatment, aircraft and plastic surgery all existed in ancient Hindutva period. "If one were to ask a question as to who invented aircraft, my answer would be the Wright Brothers which we studied in our school time," he said.

The Speaker had said that efforts were being made to establish that the first aircraft was a pushpaka vimana. "The science is not ganapati and pushpaka vimana. Those are myths. The superstitions of the Hindutva era will push back progressive ideas. In the era of Artificial Intelligence, all these were mere myths," he said.

The Hindutva organisations had lodged a strong protest against the Speaker's remarks accusing him of insulting Hindu Gods. Complaints have also been filed against him with the police at various places.

The VHP and other Hindu outfits have also decided to submit a memorandum to the Governor and President seeking Shamsheer's removal.