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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Minister Sivankutty alleges Raj Bhavan behind ABVP protests; BJP accuses CPI(M) of 'violence'
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday claimed that the protests by the BJP's youth and student groups against him, over the 'Bharat Mata' controversy, were aimed at causing riots in the state and were allegedly held on instructions of the Raj Bhavan. Hitting back at the CPI(M), BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Left party of trying to suppress protests by resorting to violence against the protestors. He warned that if the Left government uses force to suppress protests, it will face retaliation in the same manner. Earlier in the day, Sivankutty told reporters that he has been attacked and his travels obstructed during the last couple of days after he walked out of a programme at the Raj Bhavan where a portrait of 'Bharat Mata' -- as seen in RSS events -- was displayed. He said that as a minister, MLA and a citizen, he has the right to protest against the actions of the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and that is what he did. "The Governor has said that he will continue with it (the portrait) and we have not responded to that," he added.
The Print
a day ago
- Politics
- The Print
Minister Sivankutty alleges Raj Bhavan behind ABVP protests; BJP accuses CPI(M) of ‘violence'
He warned that if the Left government uses force to suppress protests, it will face retaliation in the same manner. Hitting back at the CPI(M), BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused the Left party of trying to suppress protests by resorting to violence against the protestors. Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 22 (PTI) Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Sunday claimed that the protests by the BJP's youth and student groups against him, over the 'Bharat Mata' controversy, were aimed at causing riots in the state and were allegedly held on instructions of the Raj Bhavan. Earlier in the day, Sivankutty told reporters that he has been attacked and his travels obstructed during the last couple of days after he walked out of a programme at the Raj Bhavan where a portrait of 'Bharat Mata' — as seen in RSS events — was displayed. He said that as a minister, MLA and a citizen, he has the right to protest against the actions of the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and that is what he did. 'The Governor has said that he will continue with it (the portrait) and we have not responded to that,' he added. Subsequently, the BJP youth wing Yuva Morcha and student organisation — Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) — attacked him and obstructed his vehicle at various places in the state during the last two day, the minister claimed. Meanwhile, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, in an interview given to BJP mouthpiece Janmabhumi, said that the concept of 'Bharat Mata' became more clear to him when he was jailed during the emergency period in the country. He said that during that time he saw the concept of Bharat Mata as being above ideology and politics. 'I got a strong urge to work more for Bharat Mata. The inspiration to become a 'sangh pracharak' also became stronger during that time,' he said in the interview. Sivankutty, during his press conference in the morning, also alleged that at one such protest, ABVP activists tore apart the national flag, a claim reportedly denied by the student organisation. The minister also alleged that the protests and attacks against him were being carried out on the instructions of the Raj Bhavan, 'but they were unable to gather enough youth for the same'. He said that the protests against him by the two organisations were carried out by a handful of youngsters who acted as 'suicide squads' and jumped in front of his moving vehicle. ABVP and Yuva Morcha activists had waved black flags at the minister's vehicle in Kozhikode on Saturday and also burned his effigy in protest against his walkout from the Raj Bhavan event. Sivankutty said that ABVP and Yuva Morcha should realise that showing support to the Governor, who is allegedly acting contrary to the Constitution, will turn people against them. He also claimed that two hardcore RSS activists in the Raj Bhavan were advising the Governor to act in this manner. The minister said that he will not name them, but everyone knows them very well. The Congress too spoke out against the Governor's recent actions and said the Raj Bhavan should not be turned into a venue for political activities. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph also said that protests against the Governor's actions need not be taken to the streets. Later in the day, Chandrasekhar, in a statement, claimed that it was the CPI(M) which was behind the violence against the ABVP and Yuva Morcha protestors because the BJP exposed the Left party's 'anti-nationalism' and 'appeasement politics'. He also accused the Left parties of being 'intolerant' towards protests against them. The BJP leader said that protests against the Governor by the Students Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India — the student and youth wings of the CPI(M), respectively — were acceptable, but agitations against a Left minister were not. This is an 'authoritarian style' of communist parties, he claimed. He warned that if attacks on BJP and related organisations' workers are not stopped, the Left parties and their leaders will have to pay a heavy price. 'If the CPI(M) is trying to suppress the protesters by taking the law into its own hands, and if the police decide to help them by standing by, then the national movements, including the BJP, will take to the streets,' the BJP leader said. He also said that criticising and insulting the 'Bharat Mata', a sentimental concept for the country, was not acceptable and whosoever dares to do so will face a strong protest in a democratic manner. Chandrasekhar further warned that if the Left government's decision was to suppress the protests by force, there were those on the other side who were capable of retaliating in the same manner. The southern state has been witnessing a tussle between Arlekar and the Marxist party-led LDF government over the display of 'Bharat Mata portrait' during official events at the Raj Bhavan here. PTI HMP HMP ROH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Priyanka is bound to shed light on Jamaat-Congress ties: BJP state chief
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Questioning the Congress leadership's stand on the party state unit 'cosying up to' a radical Jamaat-e-Islami, the BJP termed it a political issue in the Nilambur by-election. Party state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra — who is currently in Kerala to campaign for the UDF — is bound to respond to the 'ties'. In a Facebook post, Rajeev sought to know if it wasn't sheer hypocrisy that Priyanka and her brother Rahul Gandhi uphold the Constitution in public while supporting the Jamaat, which has been dreaming of creating an Islamic state in the country. 'Isn't it the height of hypocrisy to preach 'mohabbat', yet stand with those who mourned Ajmal Kasab, defended Afzal Guru, and hailed Hamas terrorists? Isn't it an insult to your own senior leader, former CM Oommen Chandy, that you now go against his position calling Jamaat-e-Islami the most dangerous outfit?' he asked.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP releases manifesto for Nilambur development
BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar released the party's election manifesto titled Vikasit Nilambur Ruparekha for the Nilambur Assembly byelection by handing over a copy to magician R.K. Malayath on Sunday. Mr. Chandrasekhar said that despite voting for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) for six decades, the people of Nilambur had not received any benefits of development. He said if organisations like the Jamat-e-Islami and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) gained strength, it would be disastrous for the region. The manifesto said that if party's candidate Mohan George was elected, the BJP would begin the construction work on the Nilambur-Mysuru railway line in seven months. The manifesto also promised to upgrade the district hospital to a cancer specialty centre and also to undertake the Kozhiode-Nilambur-Gudalur four-lane highway development. An AI-powered video of the Vikasit Nilambur Ruparekha was also released. Bharat Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) district president Girish Mekkad presided over the meeting. BJP leaders P.K. Krishna Das and A.N. Radhakrishnan attended the funciton.
India Gazette
05-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Inept, incompetent, unaccountable, and corrupt": Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Karnataka Congress over Bengaluru stampede
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 5 (ANI): Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday slammed the Karnataka Congress government for the stampede during RCB's IPL victory celebrations in Bengaluru that claimed the lives of 11 people, calling the party 'inept, incompetent, unaccountable, and corrupt'. Chandrasekhar said the Karnataka Congress party is full of corrupt leaders who make false promises and fail to manage public events in a city like Bengaluru, which is called the Silicon Valley of Asia. Speaking to ANI, Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, 'Everyone knows that if there is a state unit of the Congress party that is the most inept, incompetent, unaccountable, and corrupt, and only survived because of its appeasement politics, it is the Karnataka Congress... Karnataka Congress is a poster boy of everything that is wrong in Indian politics. It has the most corrupt politicians who are today deputy chief ministers, chief ministers and ministers in the government. They exploit the people, make fake promises, and are unable to hold a small event in a city like Bengaluru, which is called the Silicon Valley of Asia... Ordinary people's lives have no meaning for the Congress party, not just in Karnataka, but this is the politics of Rahul Gandhi...' Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) announced financial support of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the 11 people who lost their lives in the tragic stampede at the Bengaluru stadium. Deeply moved by the turn of events, RCB released an official statement expressing profound grief and has pledged immediate financial assistance to the families of the deceased. 'The unfortunate incident in Bengaluru yesterday caused a lot of anguish and pain to the RCB family. As a mark of respect and a gesture of solidarity, RCB has announced a financial support of INR 10 lakh to each of the eleven families of the deceased. In addition, a fund called RCB Cares is also being created to support fans injured in this tragic incident,' the statement read. Acknowledging the injuries sustained by other fans during the incident, the franchise has also set up a dedicated relief initiative named 'RCB Cares', aimed at extending medical and financial aid to those hurt. 'Our fans have always been the heartbeat of RCB. We remain united in grief,' the franchise said. The incident occurred on Wednesday during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL winning celebrations near the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, when thousands of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite players. (ANI)
