Gowtham K
Chennai: Kerala Muslim organizations on Friday severely condemned CPI (M) leader A. Vijayaraghavan’s remarks saying his words reflect the true mindset of the state’s ruling party. They said the CPI (M) leader is using the language of BJP leaders who spew venom against minorities.
In Kozhikode, CPI (M) leader and LDF Convener Vijayaraghavan said, “Will one (form of) communalism be answered with another communalism? Can majoritarian communalism be hindered using minority communalism? Won’t that justify the violence of majoritarian communalism? Isn’t minority communalism the most intense? Shouldn’t we all stand together to oppose it”.
His controversial remarks have stirred a political row in the state which has more than 25% of Muslims. Even though Vijayaraghavan came out stating that his remark was misinterpreted, Congress, Indian Union Muslim League, have slammed the CPI (M) leader by comparing him with BJP politicians.
Vijayaraghavan had delivered the controversial speech a meeting arranged at Mukkam in Kozhikode on Wednesday evening as part of “Vikasana munnetta yatra” being undertaken ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls by the ruling LDF. After the controversy arose, the senior CPI (M) leader on Thursday came out stating that what he said was misinterpreted by the media. At a press conference in Kozhikode, Vijayaraghavan denied having said that minority communalism was more intense. Targeting at the Communist leader, the Indian Union Muslim League, said Viajaraghavan was “talking in the language of BJP”. “It cannot be treated as a slip of tongue. These words are from his mind,” IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty told reporters.
On other hand the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala state Assembly Ramesh Chennithala said while the CPI (M) has the responsibility to protect minorities of the country from “all sorts of attack from the BJP”; Vijayaraghavan was using “the language of the RSS”. BJP state president K Surendran described Viajyaraghavan’s statement as ‘hypocrisy’. “The girl who is contesting from Alathur (referring to Ramya Haridas) after filing nomination first rushed to Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab (IUML supremo) and later to meet PK Kunhalikutty (IUML leader and Malappuram UDF candidate). I don’t know what will happen to her now,” Vijayaraghavan had said.
Earlier, while launching a door to door campaign, Vijayaraghavan had also slammed the Congress, alleging it had ‘surrendered’ to the IUML. “The opposition (in Kerala) represents religious hatred. The Congress has surrendered to the Muslim League,” he had said in Thrissur. This statement coming from a senior leader of CPI (M) is seen as the voice from Sangh Parivar hiding communism behind.