‘Statement that Shames Even Sangh Parivar’; Samastha Criticizes Minister Saji Cherian
Thiruvananthapuram: Samastha, a prominent Muslim scholarly body, has strongly criticized Minister Saji Cherian over his controversial remarks concerning religious polarization in Kerala politics. Samastha leader Sathar Panthallur alleged that a calculated effort towards religious polarization is underway in the upcoming elections, a trend he claims was initiated by Vellappally Natesan and has now been furthered by Saji Cherian through Balan.
Panthallur stated that the minister’s comments are detrimental to the harmonious atmosphere of the state. He particularly condemned Cherian’s assertion that voting patterns are determined by religion and community, describing it as a statement that “shames even the Sangh Parivar.” The Samastha leader demanded that the General Secretary of the ruling party clarify whether Minister Cherian’s remarks represent the official stance of the party, suggesting that the ultimate objective appears to be the kind of religious polarization commonly witnessed in North India.
The controversy stems from Minister Saji Cherian’s earlier statement where he suggested that one only needs to examine the names of the winners in local body elections in Malappuram to understand the communal polarization allegedly orchestrated by the United Democratic Front (UDF). Cherian had argued that individuals not belonging to a particular community cannot win elections in certain areas, regardless of their standing. He then questioned whether Kerala should succumb to such divisions. In defense of the minister, CPM General Secretary M.A. Baby clarified that Cherian’s intention was to highlight the attempts to communalize Kerala, drawing parallels with the situation in North India.
Elaborating on his original remarks, Cherian had said, “You just have to check the results of the Kasaragod Municipality. Only those from a particular community win wherever they have a majority. Should Kerala go this way? Isn’t that what’s happening in many states in India? Read the names of those who won in the Malappuram District Panchayat. What is the situation of our country? You should not turn this into Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.”