Alappuzha (Kerala): Kerala Minister Saji Cherian has stepped up his attack on the UDF and Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan, accusing them of aggravating communal tensions for political benefit. His fresh remarks came alongside a sharper critique directed at the Indian Union Muslim League’s electoral strategies in northern districts.

Cherian reiterated that the CPM and the LDF had consistently taken a firm stance against communalism, contrasting this with what he described as the UDF’s willingness to align with both minority and majority communal forces. “No communal riots had occurred in the state over the past 10 years,” he said, recalling previous instances of unrest under UDF governments, including the Marad riots of 2002–03 and clashes in Alappuzha and Vizhinjam.

Expanding on this, Cherian argued that current political trends in the state were reflective of rising sectarian mobilisation. Responding to questions about communal polarisation, he said that evidence was already visible in the electoral patterns of northern districts. “Look at the names of those who won in Malappuram and Kasaragod,” he told reporters, warning that the situation should not be underestimated.

He accused Satheesan of attempting to fracture communal harmony through his recent statements, particularly those made during the Kerala Yathra led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar. According to Cherian, Satheesan’s remarks amounted to an attempt to cultivate religious divisions for electoral advantage. “It is a tactic to attract minority votes by creating divisions along caste and communal lines,” he said, adding that the Opposition leader was “fully aware of the dangers posed by both minority and majority communalism”.

Cherian also dismissed Satheesan’s comments about the Chief Minister allowing SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan to use his official vehicle. “There is nothing wrong in taking Vellapally in his official car,” he said, insisting there was nothing improper about the gesture. He added that community organisations such as NSS and SNDP had their own autonomy and that cooperation between them was not part of the CPM’s “social engineering”.

The Minister also accused Satheesan of deepening communal insecurities instead of safeguarding Kerala’s tradition of coexistence. “Here, Hindus, Muslims and Christians live like children of one mother,” he said, warning that divisive tactics would only strengthen factionalism. He argued that Kerala should not be pushed in the direction of states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where communal polarisation dominates electoral politics.

Cherian emphasised that the state government remained committed to protecting all faiths and traditions, and that people of every religion would continue to enjoy the freedom to practise their rituals peacefully.

‘Distorted, misinterpreted’

Later, Minister Saji Cherian made a clarification on his controversial remark, including the one that the Muslim League engages in politics that fosters communal divisions. He said his words were being distorted and misinterpreted, leading to the public being misinformed. Clarifying his stance, the minister explained that he meant there should never be a scenario where Muslim-majority regions are dominated by the Muslim League and Hindu-majority areas by the BJP. Cherian offered this explanation while addressing the media on Monday morning.

 

(With PTI inputs)