Why should people use large cars? Vijayaraghavan comes up with bizarre justification

Thrissur: Senior CPM leader and politburo member A Vijayaraghavan has come up with a bizarre justification regarding the party area conference at Vanchiyoor where CPM had constructed a stage on the road blocking the traffic. Following the court’s intervention, the police were compelled to register a case in connection with the issue. In response to this, A. Vijayaraghavan made a controversial statement during the Kunnamkulam area conference.

Referring to a traffic block near the venue of the Kunnamkulam area committee meeting in Kechery, Vijayaraghavan raised the question: “Is the traffic block here caused by the party meeting?” He argued that just as people have the right to drive cars on the road, common people also have the right to conduct marches on the road.

Excerpts from Vijayaraghavan's speech

“Didn’t we get a ground for this? So why not tolerate a public meeting by the roadside? The Marxists have set up a public meeting on the roadside where no cars could pass. They built a stage and held a public meeting. People got in trouble, right? What a traffic block! Otherwise, wouldn’t there have been a traffic block here? Even today, there was a traffic block before our public meeting. Or don’t traffic blocks occur in Kechery? Yes, I’ve seen it while passing through here. Isn’t there enough space for ten people to walk?

“How much space do ten cars need? Has anyone thought about it? Nobody asks these questions. Do all these people really need to travel in cars? Why not walk? Didn’t we use to walk in the past? Has anyone questioned why there are so many cars now? Why should they use such large cars? Wouldn’t a small car suffice? The truth is, when 25 cars go, only 25 people travel in them.”

He further elaborated, “Sometimes, people are just rolling along leisurely. Sundays are less crowded. People visit their in-laws’ houses and move slowly, chatting along the way. Very few are traveling for essential purposes. I’m not against it. Those with cars will travel by car. But just as car owners have the right to drive, the poor should also be granted the freedom to conduct a march. I humbly request this right to be respected ”, said Vijayaraghavan.