'Same mentality as those who assassinated Gandhi': Pinarayi Vijayan condemns attack against Thushar Gandhi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Sangh Parivar atrocity against Thushar Gandhi is an attack on the secularism and democracy of the country. Thushar Gandhi is the grandson of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and a public activist. He came to Kerala to inaugurate the centenary of the Gandhi Guru meeting in Varkala, Sivagiri, and to unveil the statue of Gandhian Gopinathan Nair.

This visit comes at a time when the historical event of Mahatma Gandhi and Sree Narayana Guru meeting is being commemorated. It was then that the RSS launched an open attack on Gandhi. The Chief Minister accused those who are behind this attack of having the same mentality as those who assassinated Gandhi. This is condemnable. Actions that violate freedom of expression cannot be allowed in a democratic society. There will be legal and democratic action against such trends. The Chief Minister said that such acts should be isolated by raising public opinion throughout society.

Thushar Gandhi shared the concern that the soul of the country is being infected with the cancer of communalism. Our culture has always respected dissenting opinions. The Sangh Parivar is defaming that culture. Thushar Gandhi has shouted 'Jai Gandhiji' without giving in to the provocation. Pinarayi Vijayan also clarified that actions like blocking the path of national and international personalities coming to Kerala will not be allowed.

A strong protest from the secular democratic society should be raised in this incident. This is a time when no individual, social group, or political movement that wants democracy to exist can remain silent. The Chief Minister said that only if that awareness and the strong protest that results from it are present in the public sphere can our freedom of expression be protected.