Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the centenary celebrations of Kayal Sammelanam organised by Kerala Pulayar Maha Sabha (KPMS), the organisation of the largest Dalit Pulaya community of the state. Kayal Sammelanam was organised in 1914 when Dalits did not have the right to travel. They could not use the roads to walk. At that time when Pulaya community liked to organise a meeting to raise their demands the caste Hindus and the authorities denied permission. But, the Dheevara (fishermen) community, led by their social reformer Pandit Karuppan, helped them to fabricate a barge by tying several country boats together and the Dalits conducted their meeting on it floating in the Kochi kayal (backwaters) so that the authorities or caste Hindus could not take action against them hence it is called Kayal Sammelanam.
It was a mile-stone in the saga of Dalit struggles for their legitimate rights. KPMS was in the control of the undivided Community Party since the former’s inception. But, a few years ago a group of the leadership led it to the Congress camp and brought Sonia Gandhi to address their rally in Ernakulam Marine Drive, the same venue where NaMo addressed the gathering on the February 9. But, majority members of the organisation as well as the community did not like to be a part of the Congress parivar hence a split took place. Now the biggest fraction thought that Modi was the right person to inaugurate their historic function. It is noteworthy that some of them have been associating with RSS and other Sangh parivar organisations since the last few years.
Shri Modi said the next decade will be the time to raise the dalits to the mainstream of the social life. He said those ruled the country for 60 years did not do anything for the poor and the oppressed class. They believed that the country is run by “one family”. BJP State president V Muralee-dharan, Pandit Karuppan Foundation President Dr Gopinath Panangad, SC-ST Samyukhtha Samithi President Vennikkulam Madhavan, BJP State Vice-president PM Velayudhan, KPMS leaders Adv. Thuravoor Suresh, AK Damodaran, Dr PP Bava, MP Omanakuttan, KK Gopalan and KA Mohanan also spoke. Shri Modi also released a book Kerala Today, penned by VHP State Vice-President KK Pillai.
Christian priests visit Modi
Thomas Mar Athanasius and Geeevarghese Mar Ulios, two Metropolitans of Orthodox Church, , visited Narendra Modi in Kochi. They told the media persons that their community will be all happy if Modi becomes the PM. They know the development Modi brought in Gujarat. No court has declared Modi guilty. The same time lot of human violations are taking place in Kerala.
Modi visits Justice VR Krishna Iyer
After the KPMS meeting, Narendra Modi visited the Justice VR Krishna Iyer at the latter’s residence in Kochi. Sri Iyer congratulated Modi for his success in prohibition, implementation of solar energy and eradication of corruption. Modi promised his support for Iyer’s relentless fight for the Kochi Cancer Institute. This is Modi’s second visit to Sri Iyer.
—T Satisan
