Extending support to Janadhipatya Rashtriya Sabha (JRS) that protests against the ban on Dalits entering a temple controlled by CPM, BJP condemns the CPM’s move to bring back caste based discrimination, in the state, that was eradicated long back by various social movements within Hindu society
T Satisan, Kochi
People of Kerala have been sick of hearing again and again the tall, brash and immodest boastings of CPM leaders that credit goes to them for bringing social reforms and civilisation to Kerala society where untouchability and casteism ruled the roost. They are still not in a mood to acknowledge the great
contributions of Sree Narayana Guru. ‘Head turn the chronology’ was the modus operandi they have been adopting in this respect. So, they take credit for the reforms that took place in late 19th
century or early 20th century much before the Indian Community Party was formed somewhere in Soviet Union. But, now, CPM, the self styled heirs of
undivided CPI, promotes blatant untouchability in Kannur, the district they claim as their bastion in Kerala!
The referenced incident took place in connection with Thiruvayudhamezhunnellathu in Pambatiyalinkeezhil temple, Azheekkal, Kannur district. All the temple committee members belong to CPM and they observe discrimination against Dalits. When they take the divine sword in a procession to the houses of the faithfuls, the organisers avoid the Dalit houses. Two years back Valappattanam police registered a case against this discrimination and District Collector had issued an order against the observance of untouchability and warned about dire consequences if they repeat it. But, the CPM men ignored the Collector’s warning and repeated the same last year. Reportedly, they are going to do the same this year too.
Janathipathya Rashtriya Sabha leader Sunil Kumar observes hunger strike in front of the Kannur District Collectorate in protest against the CPM untouhability. Sabha chief and prominent Tribal leader C K Janoo inaugurated the strike. BJP leader Kummanam Rajaseskharan visited Sunilkumar at the Satyagraha pandal. BJP in Kannur has already declared their support for the justice for Dalits.
Temple committee men, the leaders of CPM, told the media that they were observing the centuries old custom and they could review it if Dalits asked for! Sunil Kumar alleges that CPM men evaded the consensus mooted by the Collector. The reports from Kannur suggest that temple committee issues cards of different colours to the people in connection with the procession. Ezhavas get yellow; others get rose; but, Pulaya Dalits do not get any card ! The entry of the procession into the houses are regulated on the basis of the colour of the cards. This card system has stirred hornets’ nest in Kannur.
CPM’s controversial district secretary P Jayarajan issued a statement indirectly justifying the discrimination. CPM leaders justify the rare system saying that it was incorporated in the Temple Manuals of 1915; but gave no justification for not revising the Manual ! Now, police has registered a case for the untouchability being observed against the Dalits.
This is the latest example of the double standards CPM observes in Kerala with respect to social issues. The same CPM who controls the Home Ministry, has not taken a single step to arrest Lakshmi Nair, the former Kerala Law Academy Principal, despite the Dalit students’ complaints that she had insulted them by calling the caste names. Still CPM men shout on top of their voice from the roof tops that Dalit atrocities take place in BJP-ruled states !
