'Only backward classes should celebrate Jayanti Day': National Council member resigns; BJP's Chathayam Day celebration in controversy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Outcry in the BJP over the assignment of the OBC Morcha to organize the Sree Narayana Guru Jayanti celebrations. BJP National Council member K.A. Bahuleyan resigned, alleging that the narrow-minded idea that Sree Narayana Guru belongs only to the backward classes and that only the backward classes should celebrate Jayanti Day was behind this action. Former DGP Sen Kumar also came out against the leadership on the same issue the other day.

Bahuleyan's resignation was announced through a Facebook post. Bahuleyan is also the assistant secretary of the SNDP Yogam. The post read, 'I am leaving the BJP in protest against the narrow-mindedness with which the BJP has entrusted the OBC Morcha to organize the Chatayam Day celebrations.' He also asked, 'Is this how the Sri Krishna Jayanti celebration is celebrated?'

Senkumar raised the question in his Facebook post as to why the OBC Morcha was entrusted with organizing the event. “Isn’t it the BJP that should organize the event? Guru does not belong to the OBC Morcha alone. Don’t you still know that Gurudeva said that we are not just a class, that we have left caste differences behind for years?” Senkumar asked.

At the same time, party national executive committee member PK Krishnadas wrote on Facebook that BJP is a party that follows the ideals of the Guru and organizes celebrations centered around BJP offices. “It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who inaugurated the centenary of the Mahatma Gandhi-Narayana Guru meeting. Narayana Guru is a Hindu teacher and a renaissance hero,” Krishnadas said.