Pics: Daya Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Feb 24: Dakshina Kannada BJP unit along with Hindu Jagarana Vedike, Vishwa Hindu Parishat, Bajrang Dal and Sri Rama Sene held a huge protest rally from Jyothi Circle to Central Maidan on Friday February 24, against the participation of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a communal harmony rally.
The communal harmony rally has been organised by CPI (M) in Mangaluru on Saturday, February 25.
Speaking on the occasion M B Puranik said, “I had spent my childhood in Thrissur as my father was a priest in one of the temples there. Kerala was known for unity and harmony. But due to drastic political changes in Kerala during 1957, we had to migrate all the way from Kerala to Udupi. Communists are known to eliminate the rivals. After Pinarayi Vijayan took over CM, Kerala has witnessed serial murders in Kannur, Thrissur and in other parts. 95% of the victims are Hindus in all political murders,"
"Chief Minister needs to protect people of the state instead Pinarayi Vijayan has misused his post and eliminated those who came his way. Vishwa Hindu Parishat is not only known for conduct Bhajans and protect cow but it is our duty to protect Hindu religion and people and show concern towards them. We do not have any individual enmity against Vijayan. We will welcome him to Mangaluru but we oppose his address during communal harmony rally and we are adamant that we will not allow Pinarayi Vijayan to deliver speech to the people of the district.” Puranik concluded.
Ravish Tanthri, committee member of Kerala State BJP, said, "We are very clear that we are not against the communal harmony rally. But activists and social thinkers in Kerala say that Pinarayi Vijayan is the thorn that has interrupted peace and harmony in Kerala. And it is impossible for Kerala to come back to normalcy until 3 leaders exist in Kerala namely Pinarayi Vijayan, Kodiyaari Balakrishnan and P Jayarajan,"
"During a recent programme, Pinarayi Vijayan has openly claimed that he eliminated those who came their way. Our primary goal is to interrupt his address during the rally. Pinarayi Vijayan is free to take part in government programme or political convention but he is delivering speech on communal harmony. He does not deserve and has no right to speak about communal harmony. “ Tanthri added.
Kerala BJP secretary Surendran said, "There have been severe attacks on Dalits, Muslims and RSS people in Kerala. But Kerala police and government have frequently defended the accused. CPI (M) has come up with agenda of vengeance. We will definitely fight the CPI (M) in every corner of the country.”
Krishna J Palemar, Shobha Karandlaje, Ratnakar Hegde, Sharan Pumpwell, Jagadish Shenava, Satyajith Suratkal, Harish Poonja, Monappa Bhandary and others were present in the rally.
It is estimated that over 1000 people took part in the rally.