Kerala’s Saga of Tackling Political Violence

On 5th May, Trinamool Congress, under Mamta Banerjee assumed power in West Bengal, following electoral victory.  TMC’s victory was a license for party goons to indulge in their version of post poll jubilations, which resulted in the loss of scores of lives. What followed after the declaration of election results, in the state of West Bengal, was unbridled violence by TMC goons. It was an obvious show of menacing strength, intended at terrorising all opponents. The message was clear- they will run unbridled henceforth. In fact the showdown was a reminder of post poll violence in Kerala, in 2016.

In Kerala, the Communist fraternity grabbed electoral victory in the recently concluded legislative assembly polls, there by retaining power. Pinarayi Vijayan assumed charge as Chief Minister for the second term on 20th May. Even with the new Communist regime, predominantly Marxist, being sworn in, it is delightful to note that there has not been a single instance of violence in the state, as part of victory jubilations, post result announcement. This stands in sharp contrast to the scenario of 2016, when election results were announced and the Communist government came into power.

In 2016, the evening of result announcement was marred by violence and BJP karyakartha Pramod was murdered. He lost his life when comrades instigated a spate of violence in Thrissur, under the guise of victory celebrations. They unleashed terror across the state and vandalized houses, shops and properties worth crores. Scores of karyakarths and their family members faced peril and tumultous scenarios for weeks together. Along with angst and threat on life, the financial loss they faced was mammoth. The current post poll celebrations in West Bengal replete with bloodshed and violence reminds one of the Communist rampage of Kerala in 2016.

Kerala stood witness to unbridled violence for consecutive months, with more than 20 karyakrthas losing their life to Leftist atrocities– all in the first three years of Vijayan’s first tenure.However, the response on the other side was equally formidable, with the entire organizations of BJP & RSS standing by firmly, with the karyakarthas in Kerala. Senior leaders at national level stood in the forefront, ensuring that political violence and murder comes to a halt. And soon, as a result of collective effort and tactical approach, Kerala then witnessed a halt to the unbridled murderous spree.

However there has been an immense decline in political killing in Kerala now. Several initiatives by nationalist organisations at exposing what is known as ‘Politics of Intolerance’, quite zealously  practiced by the Communist fraternity, have rendered positive result.

Amongst those numerous initiatives taken by the BJP has been the release of Aahuti {http://www.bjp.org/Aahuti }, a book that details the martyrdom and sacrifices of BJP-RSS activists of Kerala. The book was released on September 25, 2016, at the party’s national executive meeting in Kozhikode by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of other senior leaders. The Prime Minister pointed out in clear terms that “violence, as a way, is undemocratic”, “which should never be resorted to”, “just because one fails to tow in line with the ideology of another political faction”. ‘Aahuti’, originally written in English was translated into many languages like Malayalam, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi.

The clarion call given by Narendra Modi, “urging karyakartas not to treat Aahuti as just another book you received during your stay in Kerala. Instead, Aahuti should be debated upon and contemplated over, in all states of Bharat, so that the voice (of those who have been wronged) could reach Delhi.” This led to a spate of further activities. When Modi thundered about “the helpless cries of Kerala’s karyakartas” probably “not reaching Delhi”, scores of RSS-BJP karyakartas across the country decided to further the cause. They actively sought to conduct mass agitations in various parts of the country, against the widely exposed Leftist Terror in Kerala.

In both lower house and the upper house of Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha MP Meenakshi Lekhi and other MPs raised the issue of how they have been victims of political vengeance. The issue has been raised several times thereafter. Thus Communists and their ‘politics of murder’, along with other methods of brutality they always resorted to, for doing away with political opponents, was exposed before the entire nation.It was for the first time in the history of India, that the sacred walls of Indian Parliament echoed with vivid narratives that exposed to the world outside, the helpless cries of hapless nationalist victims.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=816003961842726

The Left fraternity in Kerala has always followed the ‘nip in the bud’ policy for challenging political opponents. Most of their ‘violence politics’ exposes how they choose their victim- mostly bright, resourceful personalities, who have ample dedication in spearheading nationalistic movement efficiently and proactively. They are selected and eliminated at a very young age.

The challenge being faced by nationalistic organisations including the BJP, in southern parts of India, especially in Kerala, where Communists have a strong grip, is the murderous politics being practised by leftist political organisations. The Central leadership of BJP and RSS have been resorting to various initiatives in tackling Left intolerance, in democratic ways.

Subsequently, BJP conducted an awareness rally throughout Kerala named ‘Jana Raksha Yatra’, against the ‘Red Terror’ of CPM. A ‘Pro-Jihadi’ stand was also taken by various political organisations. Scores of people from various walks of life joined BJP’s march aimed at instilling peace and greater awareness. The yatra, conceived under the guidance of then BJP president Amit Shah and National General Secretary (org.) BL Santhosh, spanned across the length and breadth of the state, touching all districts. Several national leaders and central ministers pledged their active presence and participation in the silent agitation.

The outcome was stupendous with the Communist fraternity visibly upset over their true visage being exposed so bluntly, that too on a national scale. The end result stands obvious– large scale decline of violence and political murders in Kerala.

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