CPI-M Kerala secretary M.V. Govindan criticized the media for distorting the party’s stance on communalism amid the controversy sparked by senior leader A.K. Balan’s comments on the Marad riots. Govindan emphasized that condemning communal forces was being misrepresented as an attack on religion. He cautioned against the misrepresentation of criticism towards the RSS as an assault on Hinduism and scrutiny of Jamaat-e-Islami as an affront to Muslims. Govindan stressed the importance of confronting communal threats to democracy without distortion or fear.
The dispute arose following statements by former minister A.K. Balan, who refused to apologize to Jamaat-e-Islami for his remarks on the Marad riots. Balan dismissed the legal notice from Jamaat-e-Islami demanding Rs 1 crore in damages, asserting his readiness to face imprisonment. He clarified that his comments aimed to underscore the necessity for governments to resist sectarian influences to maintain communal harmony.
State Local Self Government Minister M.B. Rajesh voiced strong support for Balan, highlighting that communal riots in Kerala occurred during UDF rule, while Left governments thwarted communal forces’ rise. AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging an alignment between Jamaat-e-Islami and the CPI(M) during the Marad riots. Venugopal further claimed that the Chief Minister’s statements echoed positions even the Sangh Parivar hesitated to express openly. The escalating tensions among leaders from various parties have heightened political discord ahead of the State’s upcoming elections.
Responding to queries on the Sabarimala gold theft case, Govindan clarified that the tantri’s arrest was solely an action taken by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He questioned any prohibition on the tantri’s arrest, emphasizing that arrest decisions fell within the SIT’s jurisdiction, not political leadership.
