'People can travel on other roads'; CPM's Vanchiyoor-like protest in Kannur

Not many days passed since the High Court issued an order banning political protests or meetings on public roads that hinder traffic movement. The debate is still ongoing in the public sphere but CPM cares less. The ruling party staged a protest and road blockade in front of the head post office on the roadside in Kannur on Tuesday. 1000 of CPM workers participated. The traffic in the area got snarled for hours. The police in a face-saving act issued a notice to the organizers to not conduct such events on public roads.

CPM District Secretary M V Jayarajan took the notice and kept it safe in his pocket before heading for the podium to address the event. The police stood up as mannequins watching the leader breaching the court order with sheer impunity. The head post office, a central institution, was chosen as the venue to protest.

“People can travel on other roads. There are several other connecting roads here. But there is only one head post office where we can protest against the central government's neglect.” This was how Jayarajan reasoned the decision to protest amidst hindering the traffic.

The logic may win accolades among the party lackeys but for anyone with a sane mind, this is nothing short of a contempt of the court. In particular, such an aggressive approach from a ruling party member against the court would even force the public to emulate the same. The court may eventually lose its sheen.

In Thiruvananthapuram, a case was filed against the ruling front parties who staged a protest by blocking the road. CPM leaders got a dressing down for their heedless act and had to even apologise before wriggling out of the trouble from the court.

In a democratic system, certain morals and manners must be observed by individuals and politicians alike. Democracy becomes more meaningful then. Those who try to challenge the rules by doing things at their whims, and breaching rules would have to answer in the court. The ruling party have already conducted dozens of protests against the central government’s neglect of the state in the last budget. The people have got the message. Protesting against the budget, almost one month after the presentation is a futile exercise, only targeted to win attention.

This strike, which was carried out in defiance of the court order, is a challenge no matter how you look at it. Knowingly defying the rule of law is a step towards anarchy. The High Court has ordered that advertisements and flex boards should not be placed on roadsides. If the same trend of ignorance continues, expect more billboards and flex on the roadside.