A section of CPI unhappy with govt handling of Sabarimala issue

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: During a meeting on Wednesday, a section of CPI's state council criticized LDF government's handling of women entry at Sabarimala. The criticism was balanced by another section which said that the need of the hour was to stand by the government to implement the Supreme Court order that ensured gender justice.

Sources said the topic of criticism was the handling of the issue by the police and not the motive of the state government. A few members sharply criticized the police action - including mass arrest of pilgrims - arguing that police had given weapon to BJP and RSS. The haste with which DGP Loknath Behera announced deployment of 500 women police officers at Sabarimala was also criticized.

While presenting the report, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran endorsed the LDF government's stand on the issue. Rajendran said there was no option before the government and the transparent stand taken by the chief minister and the government - favouring the entry of women of all ages at the hill shrine - helped improve the progressive image of the government. He expressed confidence that party members could effectively communicate the nuances of the case before the public and convince them.

According to a leader - who was part of the discussion - several members supported the stand of the state secretary and extended support to the government while a few raised their criticism. "The ill-feeling among people at the grassroot level was raised as a concern by dissenting leaders. But, we think that is only a temporary phenomenon and the real picture could be presented before them soon," he said.

CPI is planning to organize family meets and house visits in the coming days to present the truth about Sabarimala situation.