1 day Ago
PALAKKAD: The BJP has addressed the controversy surrounding the naming of a skill centre for the differently abled in Palakkad Municipality after RSS founder K B Hedgewar. The party stated that Hedgewar is a freedom fighter and emphasised that this is not the first institution named after him. Party leaders, including Palakkad East District President Prashant Sivan, Municipality Chairperson Pramila Sasidharan, and Vice Chairman Adv.
E. Krishnadas, clarified their stance during a press conference. The BJP highlighted that Kerala's first Chief Minister, EMS Namboothiripad, had acknowledged Hedgewar as a freedom fighter.
They questioned whether the CPM would reject EMS's statement. The BJP also asserted that they do not require validation from the Congress or the CPM to prove Hedgewar's nationalist credentials. They pointed out that in Malappuram district, a memorial for Variyamkunnan has been established, and many institutions have been named after individuals who were not even panchayat members.
They challenged critics to explain the naming of Variyamkunnan, who they claim led the Hindu genocide in Malappuram. The BJP expressed concerns about new trends emerging in Kerala, accusing those managing the religious state of attempting to reverse certain developments. They clarified that the issue is not about the name but about efforts to block the project's implementation.
They demanded a public apology from the Palakkad MLA, who they accused of trying to obstruct the project, to the differently-abled individuals and their families. The BJP criticised the police for their inaction and announced plans to continue their protest. They stated that they would march to the MLA's office to protest the insult to Hedgewar.
During the foundation stone laying ceremony for the skill centre, protests were staged by the Youth Congress and DYFI. Protesters planted banana saplings at the site where the foundation stone was to be laid. The police intervened, arresting and removing the protesters.
.
