Construction of Vivekananda Memorial being Sabotaged; Murky Hands of Muslim League Suspected

Palakkad: The construction of the proposed Vivekananda Memorial in Shornur in connection with the great seer’s 150th birth anniversary celebrations is allegedly being sabotaged by Muslim League. Sources have indicated that the plan is currently being torpedoed under flimsy grounds, inspite of having received funds from the government, along with land for construction. According to reports, Public Works Department under Ibrahim Kunhu has cited insubstantial reasons of reclamation of land at the spot where the memorial is to come up.

Swami Vivekananda embarked on his famed Kerala journey from Shornur, which made the government decide on setting up a memorial at the place. A state level committee of Sree Ramakrishna Mutt was also set up. Later it was officially taken over by Shornur municipality. The eminent sculptor from Bengal was entrusted with the task of chiseling out the statue.
 
However, when the work was completed, municipal authorities cited non availability of land for installing the statue, even though 25 cents of land was allotted for the bronze statue and a park, which the PWD will never require. However, citing reasons of possibility of reclamation of land for road widening purposes, the succeeded in stalling the venture.
 
“It is land belonging to the municipality that is being used. Municipality has no objections related to the same either. Only a small portion of land belonging to PWD is being used. And they have raised a hue and cry over the matter. PWD is being handled by Muslim League and therefore it is quite evident what the motives are,” said Yuva Morcha.