Campaign against ‘communalism’ by CPI-M on Janmashtami

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24 (PTI) CPI-M, heading the rulingLDF in Kerala, today launched a campaign against "communalismand religious extremism", coinciding with the ‘Shobha Yatras’of Sangh Parivar outfits to mark the Janmashtami celebrations. Though the five-day CPI-M campaign, titled ‘Namukku JathiIlla’ (We have no caste) featuring cultural processions andconventions, is officially to mark the birthday of socialreformer Chattambi Swami, opposition Congress took a dig atthe ruling party for organising celebrations on the occasionof Janmashtami (birthday of Hindu Lord Krishna). In a Facebook post, CPI-M state secretary KodiyeriBalakrishan said cultural processions and conventions would beheld in more than 5,000 centres till August 28. The campaign was to uphold and spread the rich renaissanceideas, he said. "I appeal all people who believe in secularism anddemocracy to participate in the programmes organised as partof the campaign," he added. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly RameshChennithala said, "Let the CPI-M evaluate their decision as apolitical party to organise celebrations on the occasion ofSreekrishna Jayanthi (Janamashtmi). It shows that they arefacing ideological bankruptcy and lack of policies." RSS-backed Balagokulam, a children’s outfit, organisednearly 10,000 colourful processions, in different parts of thestate. Children dressed up as Lord Krishna in glittering robesand ornate headgear depicting various stages of his life tookpart in the processions to the beats of ‘chendamelam’, atraditional Kerala percussion instrument. Amid tight security and tension, the Janmashtamiprocessions were held in different places in politicallysensitive Kannur district. Participants in the CPI-M processions in Kannur wavedplacards with pictures of former President APJ Abdul Kalam,freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, Mahatma Gandhi, Sree NarayanaGuru and social reformer Ayyankali. Heavy police force was deployed in the district as aprecautionary measure. Meanwhile, temples across the state witnessed heavy rushof devotees on the occasion of Janmashtami, celebrated heretoday. The famous Sree Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor and SreeKrishna shrine at Ambalapuzha saw heavy rush of devoteesright from early morning. PTI JRK VSKIS