Why isn't Kerala cracking down on RSS and CPM's bloody war in Kannur?
Kerala is considered one of the most progressive states in the country. Whether ruled by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) or the United Democratic Front (UDF), the social welfare system was maintained and efforts were made to improve the living conditions of the poor. There are a number of cooperatives for the fisherfolk and other communities. But there is one very dark area. It is called Kannur.
For decades there has been a blood feud between the RSS and CPI(M). Whether it was the LDF or UDF in power, whether a CPI(M) or Congress CM, the killings continued.
The question arises that since this mayhem was public knowledge, why didn't the CMs, or home ministers, or any public minded citizen intervene? The judiciary could have intervened. To call it a blood feud may be insufficient. This should really be called a bloody massacre that shows no sign of abating.
The CPI(M) and the RSS have done politics in other states. There, if there was any killing, the law intervened. As in West Bengal, though the RSS was then less powerful than the Left.
Though the Kannur bloodletting was known, the CPI(M) outside Kerala and the other Left along with other secular parties, as well as the BJP/RSS, all knew or should have known what was going on. But from the lack of a very strong reaction and a powerful demand for law to ensure that the killings were stopped, the bloodshed has continued.
What was the police doing in Kerala? Following the law or following orders? Did the CBI and CRPF not know what was going on for decades? Did only the Malayalam media know? Unlikely. What now.
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| The Kerala CM must spearhead the state's intervention in this bloody feud in Kannur. |
The Kerala CM must spearhead the state's intervention in this bloody feud in Kannur. Murderers are murderers, whether they are from the RSS or the CPI(M). There can be no ideological preferences. No political leeway can be granted to any individual or party against whom there is an adequate case.
Some in Kerala may say a stoppage to the killings and pensions and the like to the families of the dead would be enough. But the bloody battle has been going on for years, without the requisite intervention.
To cite just one terrible incident, a group of armed men stormed into a school classroom and hacked to death a school teacher in front of his students. How many more ghastly and inhuman stories there must be?
However, the governments of the time and their leaders must be asked to explain their actions or inactions. All those involved in the violence or not trying to stop it must answer. It is virtually certain that once the truth comes out, many in the country will wonder how all this went on for so long.
Is this what we expect from the land of the Buddha, the land of Asoka and the land of Gandhi? The Kannur killings will remain a bloody stain on the fabric of Indian democracy.