Kerala : This Time it’s Yoga! What’s Next?

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After several bids to hijack the RSS initiatives like Sri Krishna Janmashtami and Ganesha Utsav, CPM organised a mass Yoga programme in the State.

CPM takes one more step in RSS line. This time it is Yoga. The Party organised a mass Yoga demonstration in Kannur, its bastion in Kerala. About 1200 uniformed people participated in the programme conducted under the auspices of Indian Martial Arts Academy & Yoga Study Centre controlled by CPM. The programme was addressed by CPM PB members Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and other leaders.
Recently CPM’s endeavours to xerox RSS and associated organisations in distorted manners had turned controversial and ridiculous. All these attempts invited the wrath of right thinking people and peace loving citizens as CPM had insisted on organising their ‘secular’ programmes in the same venue and streets where Hindu organisations have been organising the programmes every year.
Now, CPM has touched the Yoga. When The Union Government observed International Yoga day,  CPM did their best to insult and deplore it. The CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury was at his worst when he stated that Yoga is ‘dog’s body movement’. He added that the mass Yoga mobilisation was similar to tactic adopted by dictators in the past for diverting the attention of the people from basic issues; it was for demolishing secularism and promoting Hindutva! Now, the same Kerala CPM leaders are in praise of Yoga! They are talking a lot before the TV cameras about the scientific base of Yoga and the benefits reaped by those who practise it. One leader proudly informed the media that  the CPM government in Tripura has introduced Yoga in schools in the state! Now, the people wonder if Yechury still sticks to his gun and talks about the ‘dog’s movements his party comrades in Kerala try to promote’!
Observers endorse the popular view that the CPM is compelled to go for these sorts of imitation spree, despite they have been shouting on top of their voice against Janmashtami and Ganesha Utsav celebrations and Yoga until recently, because they have realised the dangerous gravity of the erosion of their rank and file due to the party’s illogical animosity towards anything belonging to Bharateeya culture. Some even wonder when the CPM is going to celebrate Varsha Pratipada, the birthday of Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar!                            —T Satisan

‘Secular Fire’ Burns Studio Down

An online campaign launched to rebuild the studio of a Muslim that was burnt down by fanatic Muslims.

In Taliparamba, Kannur District,  some WhatsApp comments by Rafeeque, a Muslim and a professional photographer, led to fierce blaze in his photographic studio, his lone bread-winning work station. He allegedly questioned some Islamic traditions, like wearing purdah, on WhatsApp group called “What is Islam”.He received threats through social media. But, Rafeeque told Organiser that he had not criticised purdah in the recent past. He was just pointing out the superstitions which are projected as the basic tenents of Islam.
Naturally, the Muslim community started to corner and ostracise him. Rafeeque’s photographic job also ran into troubled waters. And, December 26 turned to be the climax of the disputes as some people set fire to his photographic studio. He believes that it was engineered and manned by the people who do not tolerate his comments against superstitions. He lost more than Rs 10 lakhs worth photographic and related equipments. However, he says, he is still not ready to kneel come what may.
Rafeeque told Organiser that none has been arrested so far in connection with the incident. He added that all political parties shy off from the scene. It is clear that no one wants to antagonise Muslim clergy leaders. Some ‘rationalist’ groups organised a protest meeting and have donated Rs 10,000 to Rafeeque which they have collected from the public. Now, his friends are in the midst of an online fundraising to donate to Rafeeque for resetting his studio.                                                       —T Satisan

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