Earlier, he asserted that the BJP's polarisation agenda would not work in the southern state, which have always opposed communalism.
Published Mar 23, 2023 | 2:47 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 23, 2023 | 2:49 PM
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. (Twitter)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Thursday, 23 March, that the revolutionary legacy of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh was being appropriated by communal elements who had no stake in India’s struggle for independence.
Vijayan also claimed that remembering Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru on the occasion of “Shaheed Diwas” was a “political act”, and urged progressive forces in the country to unite to realise the dream of an egalitarian India.
“Remembering #BhagatSingh, Sukhdev & Rajguru on this #ShaheedDiwas is a political act as their revolutionary legacy is being appropriated by communal elements who had no stake in our freedom struggle. Progressive forces should unite to realise their dream of an egalitarian India [sic],” he tweeted.
Remembering #BhagatSingh, Sukhdev & Rajguru on this #ShaheedDiwas is a political act as their revolutionary legacy is being appropriated by communal elements who had no stake in our freedom struggle. Progressive forces should unite to realise their dream of an egalitarian India.
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) March 23, 2023
The Kerala chief minister’s remarks, on Twitter, came on the occasion of ‘Shaheed Diwas’ — the day when the three freedom fighters were hanged to death by the British back in 1931.
The Kerala chief minister on Wednesday asserted that the BJP’s polarisation agenda won’t work in the southern state, which has always opposed communalism tooth and nail.
Taking on the NDA government at the Centre, Vijayan claimed that it was silencing the voice of the Opposition in Parliament.
The veteran Left leader was speaking at the AKG memorial programme at Perallassery near Kannur.
Apparently referring to Thalassery Archbishop Mar Joseph Pamplany, who made a statement recently that his community could help the BJP if that party addressed the concerns of farmers, Vijayan said such “opportunists” did not represent the people of Kerala.
Comrade AK Gopalan was a true champion of social justice and a leader who inspired generations. He dedicated his life to fighting for the oppressed and worked tirelessly towards creating a socialist world. His legacy will continue to guide us towards a brighter future. pic.twitter.com/nZsCS4tVDh
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) March 22, 2023
“The Sangh Parivar and its leaders should understand that the opinion of certain opportunists does not represent the mindset of the people of Kerala. Kerala has always adopted a strong stand against communalism. Be it the minority or the majority. Both pose a danger to society. So, Kerala is not a place where BJP can easily propagate their agenda,” the chief minister said.
In the 2016 Assembly election, he said the BJP secured one seat for the first time in the history of the state with the help of Congress.
“The BJP has played all sorts of games since its Jan Sangh period to win a seat in the Kerala Assembly. Finally, they got one in 2016. We all now know how they got it. Congress lost all its votes in that particular constituency and helped BJP defeat the Left candidate.”
The chief minister further said that his party had publicly announced that the BJP’s account would be closed in the state in the 2021 election and it happened.
Recalling that there was a time when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru used to listen to Communist leader AK Gopalan, who was the first Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Vijayan said, “However, these days, the BJP is trying to suppress the voice of the Opposition in Parliament.”
(With PTI inputs)
