Kerala CM attacks Sangh Parivar, alleges "hidden conspiracy" to destroy peace at Sabarimala
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 23: Hitting out at the BJP and RSS for the agitation at Sabarimala, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday said the protests were a "planned" and "deliberate" attempt to create an atmosphere of tension in the state.
And asserted that no force will be allowed to turn the shrine complex into a centre for trouble-makers.
Speaking with reporters, he alleged that the Sangh Parivar was attempting to "insult" and "mislead" believers.
Alleging there was a "hidden conspiracy" to destroy peace at Sabarimala, where the Lord Ayyappa temple is located, he said the agitations were a "planned and deliberate attempt" to create an atmosphere of tension in the state.
While maintaining that faith of believers would be respected, Vijayan made it clear that the government had the responsibility to implement the Supreme Court order.
The apex court had in a historic verdict on September 28 permitted women of all ages to offer prayers at Sabarimala,where earlier those between 10-50 could not visit.
Vijayan said both the main opposition Congress and BJP were "playing politics" on the Sabarimala issue and they had welcomed the top court verdict earlier.
Some leaders of the Congress are joining hands with the RSS and it was a "dangerous trend," he said.
Attempts are being made to destroy the peace and harmony at Sabarimala, he said, adding criminals will not be allowed to turn the temple complex into a trouble zone.
The government will restore the peace and harmony at Sabarimala and this will be through the cooperation of "actual believers" of Lord Ayyappa, Vijayan said.
At least 12 women in the 10-50 age group had made a failed attempt to trek the hills and had to return following protests from believers.
Even women over the age of 50 were stopped at Sabarimala.
This situation cannot be allowed, the chief minister said.
Vijayan also made it clear that it was the constitutional responsibility of the LDF government to implement the court order and said protection will be given to women who wish to offer prayers at the shrine.
The blocking of women and attack on media personnel, who had come to cover the historic event, was part of a conspiracy led by the RSS, he alleged.
The temple in Sabarimala had witnessed high drama and tense moments for six days when it was opened for monthly prayers from October 17 to 22.
He also said a "heinous attempt" was made by the Sangh parivar to communalise the state police, apparently referring to the cyber attacks faced by IGPs Manoj Abraham and S Sreejith, who had been deputed to the temple to maintain law and order.
Vijayan also criticised temple tantri (priest), Kandararu Rajeevaru, who had said he would close the temple and go if women were allowed inside the shrine and the agitation by assistants of priests who had protested near the holy 18 steps.
A series of protests were witnessed across the state since the CPI(M)-led LDF government decided to implement the verdict.
Reacting to Vijayan's attack, BJP State President, P S Sreedharan Pillai blamed the "stubbornness" of the chief minister for the present situation in Sabarimala.
The government should rectify its mistakes and protect the faith of believers.The massive support the devotees received across the state had left the ruling CPI(M) and LDF in "jitters" which was why they have started a campaign, including family meets to explain the government's stand on the issue, he said.
Pandalam Royal family member Sasi Kumar Varma said even though the government used all its machinery and tried to bring women, barred by tradition, to the shrine, they could not succeed.
The LDF has decided to hold "explanatory" meetings in all districts headquarters and at the booth level.
Main opposition, Congress-led UDF, which has made it clear that they will be with the believers, is also launching similar meetings to explain their stand and "expose" the alleged hidden agenda of the BJP and the ruling LDF.
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AIADMK-BJP alliance doomed to fail, says TN CM Stalin
Chennai, Apr 12 (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday said "hunger for power" is the reason for the alliance between the AIADMK and BJP and the tie-up is against ideals such as protection of state rights and it is doomed to fail.
Stalin, reacting to the announcement of an alliance between the state's main opposition party and the national party that helms the Centre, said that the AIADMK claims to oppose NEET, the imposition of Hindi, the three-language policy and the Waqf Act and also say that Tamil Nadu’s representation should not be reduced during delimitation.
"Are all these part of the Common Minimum Programme?", he asked. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, however, did not speak about any of these. Nor did he allow the AIADMK leadership to speak. Instead, Stalin said Shah used the press conference only to criticize his party, the DMK, the DMK government and him.
The chief minister said: "The AIADMK-BJP alliance is doomed to fail. It was the people of Tamil Nadu who handed repeated defeats to this coalition. Now, Shah has reconstituted the same failed alliance."
Stalin said Shah failed to state on what ideological foundation the alliance was formed. Instead, he merely assured that a Common Minimum Programme would be worked out.
Further, he said: "The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is a movement that stands to protect state rights, linguistic rights, and Tamil culture. In contrast, the BJP-AIADMK alliance has been formed with a hunger for power and stands against all these ideals. People have not forgotten that Edappadi Palaniswami, in his thirst for power, mortgaged Tamil Nadu’s dignity and rights with Delhi and brought ruin to the state."
The Dravidian party chief said when Shah spoke about corruption while confirming an alliance with AIADMK, the people of Tamil Nadu "would certainly have laughed."
Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had to step down twice due to corruption charges and she was sentenced to four years imprisonment in the disproportionate assets case by a special court in Bengaluru after years of legal proceedings. If the BJP forms an alliance with her party, can it still speak credibly about corruption,? Stalin demanded to know. It should not be forgotten that the AIADMK functionaries and their relatives were subjected to "two raids" by central investigating agencies.
"To escape the consequences, they ran towards the BJP leadership. The alliance was confirmed based on this compromise. The people of Tamil Nadu are not naive — they know that corruption is the very basis of the AIADMK-BJP alliance. Those who pledged AIADMK out of fear of two raids are now eager to mortgage the entire Tamil Nadu," the DMK president alleged. The alliance between the AIADMK and BJP is a failure alliance and the tie-up is a "corruption", by itself.
Stalin alleged that the BJP leadership has a calculated plan to eradicate Tamil through Hindi imposition, to block Tamil people’s progress through various conspiracies, and to undermine Tamil Nadu’s rights through constituency delimitation.
The AIADMK, "an old bonded slave camp," which has long surrendered itself, is being coerced by threats by the BJP to implement these conspiracies.
Stalin said: "Whether the BJP comes alone or with partners, the people of Tamil Nadu are ready to deliver a fitting lesson. To the traitorous alliance that kneels in Delhi without self-respect and tries to pawn Tamil Nadu, the people will give the right response."
When repeatedly questioned by journalists about NEET, the Union Home Minister was unable to provide a proper response, the chief minister claimed adding if Shah believed NEET was right, he should have defended that position clearly. Instead, Shah tried to "deflect" by claiming that opposing NEET was a diversionary tactic.
Stalin condemned Shah for "irresponsibly claiming that law and order has deteriorated in Tamil Nadu."
The chief minister said: "This is not Manipur — this is Tamil Nadu. The BJP ruled over a state where more than 250 people were killed in the past 18 months. The Union Home Minister who failed to restore peace there now seeks to disturb peace in a peaceful state like Tamil Nadu.
"It is precisely because of the law and order maintained here that the state continues to progress in all aspects — a fact confirmed even by union government statistics. Yet, the Union Home Minister irresponsibly tried to incite fear by claiming a breakdown of law and order."
