The government’s decision to arrest thousands of participants of the Namajapa Yatra, taken out against the apex court ruling allowing entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala, is fascism, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has said.
He told reporters here on Saturday that the crackdown on peaceful protests was unprecedented in the history of the Kerala Police. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was trying to be another Stalin.
Mr. Vijayan would have to pay a heavy price if he suppressed protesters’ rights.
“What is wrong in organising Namajapa Yatras? What is unlawful about taking out processions reciting hymns in line with one’s faith,” he asked.
“ Dissent is organic to our State. Its barbaric to arrest those engaged in ‘Namajapa Yatras,” Mr. Chennithala said.