As an effort to thwart attempts to promote religious polarisation in the region, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPI (M) is organising secular sports tournaments across Kasargode, the northernmost district of Kerala.
The party alleged that the sports clubs run by Sangh Parivar or related organisations have been trying to organise tournaments solely for Hindus in the district. They also alleged that a Hindus-only Kabaddi tournament was recently conducted and the next move to conduct Hindus-only cricket tournament was prevented by the locals with the help of the police.
“The Kabaddi tournament was conducted before people noticed the communal agenda of it. But we were able to prevent the plan for a Hindus-only cricket tournament which was to be held at Manjeswaram by lodging complaint at the police,” Sajith, DYFI Kasargode District Secretary told TNM.
The slogan of the DYFI secular tournament is ‘Vargeeyathaykku Kalam Nalkilla’ (no space would be given for communalism) and ‘Kalikkalangalku Mathamilla’ (there is no religion for playgrounds). The first tournament of the series will be held on December 2 at Manjeswaram. The tournament will be inaugurated by DYFI State Secretary AA Rahim.
Sajith alleged that the right wing organisations aim to challenge other religious communities by conducting tournaments for a particular religion. “In return the Muslims would come up with Muslims-only tournaments thereby creating communal tension in the area. This is their aim. But our aim is to defeat that agenda, by upholding the values of secularism,” Sajith said.
Sub Inspector of Manjeswaram Anoop Kumar told TNM that there was a move to conduct a cricket tournament solely for Hindus. “The attempt was by a group of local people and not by clubs. Though it was not mentioned in the notice that it was solely for Hindus, Whatsapp messages were shared telling that the tournament was for Hindus only. Hence we denied permission for that,” he added.
When asked about the alleged Kabaddi tournament held only for Hindus the SI said that the police have no confirmation about it.