The ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front will organise a protest in 200 places across the state against the Centre introducing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill.
The protest that has been scheduled for August 7, will be in the form of demonstrations and public meetings, LDF convenor A Vijayaraghavan told TNM.
“This is slaughtering of the democracy, once again after the Emergency. Jammu and Kashmir symbolises the secularism of the country in front of the world – the secularism between Hindus and Muslims. By erasing this symbol, the BJP has proved that it has no national interest and that they don’t view the country as a diverse one. It’s against the pluralist principles of the country,” Vijayaraghavan said.
“With the bifurcation of Kashmir, the Sangh Parivar government led by Modi has implemented a decision to sacrifice democracy and constitution”, said Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala.
“What has been exposed through this is the agenda of the Sangh Parivar. With this decision, Modi and Amit Shah have divided the people of the country and not solely Kashmir. They have done this sabotage of democracy without discussions or debates and by keeping Parliament in the dark. All the former governments had taken all actions relating to Kashmir by taking the people of Kashmir into confidence. But the BJP government has unilaterally imposed their agenda of division by silencing. The BJP has created a situation similar to that of 1947 when the country was divided. The BJP is moving towards eventually erasing the Constitution of India,” the Congress leader said in a statement.
Former Chief Minister and senior leader of the Congress, Oommen Chandy said that it is a huge blow to the secular, democratic and federal values of the country. Oommen Chandy, who is currently AICC General Secretary, also said that by isolating Kashmir, the Centre is destroying the Indian Constitution and fanning communalism in the country.
"It is the special power and rights that had been given to Jammu and Kashmir for the past seven decades which have been scrapped without holding any discussion. The Centre is implementing this by putting prominent political leaders there behind bars, by deploying army in huge numbers and by keeping the people hostage. The cost for this will be too high," he warned.
"It won’t be surprising if the anti-constitutional actions will be extended to other places as well. The Congress will organise a nationwide protest against this," he said.
Meanwhile, state Police Chief Loknath Behera has issued a high-security alert for all districts in Kerala.
"No move that would cause law and order situation will be allowed", the DGP said in a statement. The DGP has directed district police chiefs to deploy police officials at various places and to take action if needed, after reviewing the situation.