Two days after an RSS worker was hacked to death in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday held a meeting with leaders of the BJP and RSS.
Those present include BJP state chief Kummanam Rajasekharan, MLA O Rajagopal, RSS leader P Gopalankutty, while CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan also attended the meeting.
Speaking to the media following the meeting, Kodiyeri said that an all-party meeting would be conducted in districts that have witnessed frequent political violence.
"In the meeting convened by the CM, he heard all arguments pertaining to the recent political violence in the state. Three months ago, the CM had called for an all-party peace meet in Kannur. However, even after that there have been disturbing and unfortunate incidents from both sides. Many incidents were reported from Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam. We have come to the conclusion that in the districts where violence was reported, there should be an all-party meeting with the participation of local leaders,” said Kodiyeri.
An all-party meeting with be held in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam on August 1.
Monday’s meeting also come a day after Kerala Governor P Sathasivam summoned the Chief Minister and DGP Loknath Behera over the political unrest in Thiruvanathapuram.
BJP state chief Kummanam Rajashekharan confirmed that the BJP and RSS will support any effort to retain peace in the state. “In the recent past in Kerala, there have been numerous disturbing instances. The socio-political scenario is such that peace in the state is lost. In such a situation, the BJP and RSS will support every move that is intended to restore peace in the state. Freedom of speech and diversity is a fundamental right and so diversity in the state should be preserved,” he told media.
Kummanam also alleged that the attack on RSS worker in Thiruvananthapuram was the result of the police’s inefficiency.
“The political attacks are disturbing and attacks are becoming very common. They should be stopped, the police must act justly. Police should be able to act without bias or fear,” the BJP state chief added.
Thirty-four-year-old Rajesh, an RSS worker was hacked to death by a group of around 30 people at 9pm on Saturday. Following the attack, the police arrested 8 people.
Meanwhile media persons gathered outside the Mascot Hotel at Thiruvananthapuram to protest against CM Pinarayi for asking reporters and camerapersons to leave the venue.
Reacting to the protest, Kodiyeri said, “There will hardly be any remedy if such issues are discussed before the media. We used to allow media coverage during all-party meet. But this one was not like that, it was a discussion between the leaders.”