Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday strongly criticised the Sangh Parivar, alleging that there is a growing and disturbing pattern of attacks targeting the Christian community across different parts of the country. Referring specifically to the recent Palakkad incident involving a Christmas carol group of students, Vijayan said such developments amount to a serious infringement of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution and pose a threat to social harmony.
Speaking about the Palakkad episode, the Chief Minister cited the alleged assault on a group of students performing Christmas carols in Puthussery, where one accused, identified as Ashwin Raj, was arrested by the Kasaba police. While local BJP leaders denied any organisational links between the accused and the BJP or the RSS, police officials stated that investigations were ongoing to determine whether others were also involved. Vijayan emphasised that firm action had already been taken against those responsible and that the government would not tolerate violence in any form.
Vijayan further alleged that certain BJP leaders attempted to shield the attackers by making derogatory remarks about the carol group. He pointed out that statements were made suggesting the students were intoxicated and behaved inappropriately, which he described as deeply insulting. The Chief Minister reiterated that such narratives were dangerous and said the increasing influence of such forces in Kerala should be viewed with grave concern.
Responding to the controversy, BJP state general secretary C Krishna Kumar claimed that the accused had no association with the BJP. He questioned the nature of the carol group, alleging that it was not a genuine religious gathering but one that involved alcohol consumption and political motives. He also alleged that the incident occurred in an area where a BJP worker had previously been killed and accused a CPI(M)-linked group of deliberately provoking a confrontation.
These remarks triggered strong reactions from the parents of the children involved in the carol group. The parents organised a protest, stating that their children were far more hurt by the BJP leader’s comments than by the physical attack itself. They stressed that the children were between 10 and 14 years old and rejected allegations of intoxication. The parents said they were considering filing a formal complaint against Krishna Kumar if necessary.
Expanding his criticism beyond the Palakkad incident, Vijayan claimed that attacks on Christmas celebrations had been reported from several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand. He alleged that Sangh Parivar-linked groups were behind many of these incidents and warned that such actions undermine India’s pluralistic fabric.
Referring specifically to Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister criticised the state government for cancelling Christmas holidays and making attendance mandatory on the day to observe former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death anniversary. He said Kerala would not adopt such practices and would continue to uphold religious freedom and inclusivity.
Vijayan also highlighted incidents within Kerala, including protests by a BMS-affiliated union demanding the inclusion of Ganesh stotra during Christmas and New Year celebrations in post offices. He noted that following these protests, the Chief Postmaster General of Thiruvananthapuram had cancelled the planned celebrations. Additionally, he alleged that pro-RSS organisations attempted to prevent Christmas events in certain private schools, leading to cancellations and refunds of fees.
The Chief Minister said the state government had ordered an immediate probe into these incidents and issued a warning that strict action would be taken against anyone found obstructing religious celebrations or engaging in discriminatory practices. He reiterated that Kerala would remain committed to protecting constitutional values and ensuring that all communities can celebrate their festivals freely and without fear.
