The right-wing’s accusation that the CPI(M) has been siding with “jihadi elements” is not worth being taken seriously. Before accusing the Left of “murder politics”, the right wing should introspect over how its cadres behave. During his yatra in Kerala, BJP president Amit Shah should “raise consciousness” on political violence against CPI(M) workers as much as against his party cadres for his ‘mission’ to be of some success (“Amit Shah to lead BJP march in Kerala”, October 3).
When it comes to the cult of political violence, leaders must rise above partisanship.
Kerala, a State famed for its communal harmony, has to now guard itself against attempts by the right wing to drive a wedge between communities. It is not easy to spread religious hatred and polarise people on religious lines in the ‘Left bastion’. The depiction of Kerala as a ‘god-forsaken country’ and as a ‘hub of jihadists’ does not go down nicely with the people of the State. The right wing may be inclined to think that it can tap religious identity for political gain in the State with high human development indices, but that might just be wishful thinking.
G. David Milton,
Maruthancode, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu