Kerala CM rubbishes Congress charges of RSS links

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 10 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday rubbished the Congress's allegations that the ruling CPI(M) and the Left government led by it had a nexus with the RSS, saying such charges are being rejected with the contempt they deserve.

While addressing a programme organised by the CPI(M) in nearby Kovalam, Vijayan also said that no one needs to entertain the false hope that the LDF government could be maligned by flagging unfounded allegations of links with the RSS.

The Chief Minister's statement comes amidst a mounting attack by the Congress against him over a senior IPS officer's meeting with RSS leaders, with the grand old party alleging that it had taken place with his knowledge.

Vijayan alleged that it was the top Congress leaders and their governments who had helped the RSS grow in the country and the state on various occasions.

In his address, Vijayan said the democracy and secularism of the nation must be protected.

"We strive to create an environment where human beings can continue to live with dignity. The CPI(M) and LDF activists are working tirelessly to achieve this goal," he said.

The CM said the Left parties and CPI(M) have consistently shown zero tolerance towards communalism, and this is clear to everyone.

"Therefore, no one should harbour the false hope of linking us to the RSS. We reject such claims with the contempt they deserve. Our lives and activities are transparent, and we have a proud history of fighting against communalism without compromise," Vijayan said.

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, the Marxist veteran said it was the KPCC President, who had publicly claimed that his party had provided people to guard the RSS office in Kannur district.

"The CPI(M) is the party that has lost the most lives while directly confronting the RSS. The CPI(M) has never been in a situation where it had to appease the RSS."

"Which political leader claimed to have stood guard at the RSS office? It's understandable for an RSS worker to stand guard there. But this is a Congress leader we're talking about. Why are they conveniently forgetting their own words? Didn't the KPCC President publicly say that they had provided people to guard the RSS office? Who has a relationship with the RSS?" Vijayan asked, taking a dig at KPCC chief K Sudhakaran.

Referring to the Thalassery riots that took place in 1971, he said communists stood guard for minorities, protecting their places of worship from those who came to destroy them.

"Many people suffered losses in the Thalassery riots. Homes were lost. Lives were lost too - but only from our side," Vijayan said, referring to the killing of Communist party worker U K Kunhiraman, who died while guarding a mosque.

The Chief Minister also attacked Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, whose photos of allegedly attending an RSS function in the state surfaced a few years ago.

"The RSS is organising a programme as part of the birth centenary celebrations of RSS leader M S Golwalkar. The programme features a photo of Golwalkar with a lamp in front of it. Who lit the lamp and bowed before Golwalkar's photo? Was it our leaders?" Pinarayi asked, taking a dig at Satheesan.

The Chief Minister accused Congress of having close ties with the RSS and helping it implement its agendas in the country.

He alleged that in his book titled "The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir Dilemma: An Acid Test for India's Constitution", then Home Secretary Madhav Godbole, who served in the Narasimha Rao government during the Babri Masjid demolition, labels Rajiv Gandhi as "Karsevak 2", then-UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh as "Karsevak 3", and Prime Minister Narasimha Rao as "Karsevak 4".

Vijayan referenced Godbole's book, stating that Rao had dismissed Godbole's report recommending the dismissal of the Kalyan Singh government over the Babri Masjid demolition.

The Chief Minister also recalled the Hashimpura massacre, which occurred during Congress rule in Uttar Pradesh, to criticise the party.

Vijayan hit back at the Congress hours after the party launched an attack on the Marxist party-led government over the controversy surrounding the meeting between ADGP (Law and Order) M R Ajith Kumar and senior RSS leaders in Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram in 2023.


The Congress claimed that it's long-standing allegations about an unholy nexus between the Left party and the BJP have now been proven true.


Satheesan also alleged that some names of individuals who are part of a coterie controlling the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) have been exposed, and more would be revealed soon.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)