KL This Week: LDF Will Protect Minority Rights, Oppose CAA, NPR, NRC, says Pinarayi Vijayan

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by the CPI(M) has strongly opposed the implementation of the CAA by the Union government, just ahead of the general elections. A massive public meeting was held in Kozhikode on March 22 which was addressed by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other LDF leaders.

“This is not just an act aimed at granting citizenship. The fear among the sections who are afraid of being treated indifferently under the CAA is understandable. We wanted to assure that we will stand with the oppressed at any cost to allay the fear created”, he said while addressing the meeting. 

The Chief Minister also assured that the LDF and the LDF government will lead the struggle against the protest against the CAA. 

“We will not be silenced or kneel down in front of the communal agenda of the sangh parivar organisations. We clearly understand the targets of the CAA. The implementation of CAA is a long-term agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to convert Muslims as second class citizens in the country. This is an attempt to snatch their rights”, he said.

RACIAL REMARKS AGAINST MOHINIYATTAM ARTISTE

The remarks by ‘Kalamandalam’ Sathyabama, a famous Mohiniyattam artiste has courted controversy after her racial comments on another artiste, Dr RLV Ramakrishnan. Several political, youth and cultural organisations have condemned the statement of Sathyabama and extended support to Ramkrishnan. 

“Those who are dark in colour should not perform Mohiniyattam. Men also should not perform the art. Even his mother will not comprehend his looks”, she said referring to Ramakrishnan in an interview to a digital media organisation. 

“Those girls or boys who are dark in colour can learn the art, but should not participate in competitions. They can instead dance in temples and other festivals. Only those fair girls should participate in the competition”, she said. 

In protest, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) organised a programme in Chalakudy town for Ramakrishnan as a mark of solidarity. Several Mohiniyattam experts and artistes extended their support to Ramakrishnan and condemned the statements of Sathyabama. The Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has filed a case against the artiste for her comments. 

The Kerala Kalamandalam, a deemed to be University which imparts training in different traditional art forms, has invited Ramakrishnan to perform at its Koothambalam in solidarity. 

BANK TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES DEMAND PERMANENT JOBS

Temporary employees engaged by different public and private sector banks held a protest across the state during the week demanding permanent jobs and equal wages for equal work. The Bank Temporary Employees Federation (BTEF) has accused various banks of underpaying the temporary employees despite proper regulations being in place on wages for the temporary and contract employees. 

The BTEF affiliated to the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI) has been demanding holiday wages and immediate implementation of revision of wages agreed upon by the banks for temporary employees. Protests were held in front of Canara Bank Kannur South regional office in Kannur, Canara Bank Regional office in Kozhikode and State Bank of India (SBI) main branch in Thrissur. 

EMS AND AKG REMEMBERED

The CPI(M) held rallies and public meetings as remembrance of party veteran leaders E M S Namboodiripad, the first communist Chief Minister of India, and A K Gopalan, who served multiple terms in the Lok Sabha. 

The death anniversary of EMS fell on March 19 and that of AKG was on March 22. Senior leaders hoisted the party flag in offices across the state, red volunteer marches were held followed by public meetings. 

The first EMS government implemented land reforms in the state in 1957 before being dismissed by the Union government in 1959. EMS occupied the office of chief minister again during 1967 and 1969 and later became one of the founders of the CPI(M) and served as the party's general secretary between 1978 and 1992.

A K Gopalan was elected to the first Lok Sabha  from Cannanore constituency and later from Kasaragod and Palakkad till 1971. He led numerous struggles for the cause of the workers, farmers, agricultural labourers among others.