Oommen Chandy government in Kerala following ‘soft Hindutva’ policy: Opposition

KOCHI: A series of policy decisions of Kerala’s Congress-led government have prompted the Opposition and one of the ruling coalition’s constituent, the Indian Union Muslim League, to allege that Congress was following a ‘ soft Hindutva’ policy.

The decision of the Congress-led government to withdraw the case against VHP leader Praveen Togadia came under severe criticism by IUML leaders like ET Mohammed Basheer. The case against Togadia was registered after he made a speech in July 2003 in Kozikode. The state government recently withdrew the case following a representation made by Hindu Aikyavedi general secretary Kummanam Rajashekharan, a co-accused in the case. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who took the responsibility for withdrawing the case said that the decision was part of a package to restore peace in riot-hit Marad.

Basheer, however, said that in a society like Kerala, which is known for communal harmony, the decision to withdraw a case against making a provocative speech might send wrong messages. The Muslim Youth Federation has also criticised the government for its policies.

The Oommen Chandy government had also withdrawn a case against Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers for assaulting a police official. Citing the two incidents Opposition leader VS Achuthananthan had come down heavily on government for pursuing a policy of appeasing communal forces.

Citing the government’s decision to entrust the investigation on the killing of Kathiroor Manoj, an Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader in Kannur, to CBI, CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had said that Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala had a “RSS mind”. He said that Chennithala was trying to appease the central government.