THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A section of Congress leaders has found the move by
KPCC Vichar Vibhag to observe Ramayana month as ill-advised. While many leaders who are unhappy chose to remain tight lipped, former president of KPCC K Muraleedharan MLA criticised the decision.
"It is not something that the
Congress party needs to do. Ours is a secular party where members of different beliefs co-exist. It is the duty of communal organisations to organise religious programmes, not that of a political party," Muraleedharan said.
KPCC Vichar Vibhag's plan is to observe Ramayana month by launching a variety of programmes. The official inauguration of the programme will be held in the city on July 17, the first day of Karkkadakam month. The Vichar Vibhag has justified the campaign by saying that what they intended to do was to promote the concept of 'Rama Rajyam' as suggested by Gandhiji as a model form of governance.
"If it is the intention, we need to organize programmes like seminars to promote it. Why is there an observance of Ramayana month," asked Muraleedharan. He said it was unfair to use religion to win four or five votes. "It is what the BJP is practicing. We shouldn't do the same. We need to devise a different strategy to take on them," he said.
While speaking to a news channel, KPCC spokesperson Rajmohan Unnithan also found the idea not feasible. He said there was no debate within the party regarding the Ramayana month observance. Sources said the Vichar Vibhag has got the support of top leadership of the KPCC to organize the programme and it would go ahead with the plan. Opposition leader
Ramesh Chennithala has agreed to inaugurate the programme.
