Kerala CM Calls Upon All Secular, Democratic Forces to Fight Communalism

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the Hindutva brand of communalism was trying to transform India from a vibrant model of democracy to a breeding ground of communal hatred.

Mr Vijayan said this was clearly evident from the recent incidents that happened in Manipur, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The Sangh Parivar is attempting to dehumanise minorities and Dalits and confine them to a social status that is worse than that of animals. The news from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh repeatedly reminds us that communalism and fascism can drain away the last bit of empathy and love from a human being, he said.

If a teacher were to punish a seven-year-old child not only because of his religion but also get his classmates belonging to other religions to thrash him, indicates the extent of communal poison that has entered into the minds of people. The incident that occurred in Muzaffarnagar, a place where the Sangh Parivar had earlier inflicted severe wounds through communal riots, is by no means an isolated one,” the chief minister said in a FB post.

Mr Vijayan said the incident also underscored the extent to which their dangerous communal propaganda can demonize a person. This convinces us that communalism is the worst mentality that human beings can degrade, he said.

The chief minister said the Muzaffarnagar incident has also sounded a warning that a strong fight needs to be put up against the Sangh Parivar’s communal ideology. All democratic and secular forces should join hands to discharge the responsibility without compromise. It is time to stoutly and strongly defend the country’s secular and democratic fabric.