Ten years without communal clashes a major governance achievement, says CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that the fact that no communal clashes have taken place in the state over the past ten years is a major achievement of the government. He said this was possible due to the government’s firm stand rooted in secularism.

Referring to the Marad riots, in which 14 people lost their lives, the Chief Minister said that Kerala had witnessed several communal clashes in the past, resulting in many deaths. The Chief Minister was speaking while inaugurating the concluding conference of the Kerala Yatra led by Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar under the leadership of the Kerala Muslim Jamaath at Putharikandam Maidan. He said attempts are being made in the country to treat Muslims as second-class citizens. Bulldozers were being used to target Muslim places of worship and homes, he alleged.

"The Citizenship Amendment Act is an example of discrimination. Muslims are being targeted across the country. Attacks against Christian communities are also increasing. Anti-conversion laws introduced in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka have become a reason for attack on minorities," he said.

“Life has become difficult for minorities in the country. One form of communalism cannot be fought with another. If that happens, it will only strengthen communalism. If minorities think they can face it in that way, it would be nothing short of self-destructive. No form of communalism should be treated lightly. Kerala has seen attacks arising from organisational disputes in the past, but there have been no communal clashes in the state for the past ten years. This is because we have taken a clear stand that those who commit wrongdoing will not be protected,” the Chief Minister said.

Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar handed over a development document to the Chief Minister at the event. Vijayan and Kanthapuram jointly inaugurated the Rifa e-Care project of the Indian Cultural Foundation, under which 1,000 children affected by autism and cerebral palsy will receive Rs 30,000 each annually.

The function was presided over by Samastha Kerala Jam’iyyathul Ulama president E. Sulaiman Musliyar. Sayyid Ali Bafaqi Thangal led the prayers. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan attended the event as a special guest.

Sayyid Ibrahimul Khaleel Bukhari and Perode Abdurahman Saqafi addressed the gathering. Minister G.R. Anil, MP Shashi Tharoor, former opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, Karnataka Speaker U.T. Khader, Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust general secretary Swami Subhangananda, Bishop Mathews Mar Silvanos, Gururethnam Jnana Thapaswi, N. Ali Abdulla, Dr A.P. Abdul Hakkim Azhari, Sayyid Muneer Ahdal, Nisar Saqafi Oman, A. Saifuddin Haji, Mustafa Koodallur, Vandur Abdurahman Faizy, and Siddiq Saqafi were among those present.