Rein in CPI(M)-BJP violence in Kerala

It is unfortunate that the normally-tranquil state of Kerala is in the grip of widespread tension and violence after the brutal killing of E Rajesh, a 34-year-old RSS activist, in Thiruvananthapuram. This level of political rivalry and brutality was associated with the northern parts of the state, in the Malabar region, where RSS and Left activists often clash — but this has now apparently spread to the capital and needs to be capped. While the BJP feels that this is because the party is growing with a lot of new people, especially from the marginalised communities, joining it, and that the Left wants to stop this through intimidation and violence, the Left pins the blame on the Centre’s incitement of BJP cadres. It says the Centre is angry because the government in Kerala is one of the few that does not toe the Centre’s line. The opposition Congress feels that the CPI (M)-led government has failed on the law and order front, but, it is opposed to the Centre’s intervention of any sort.

Attacks on the party offices and houses of both the CPI(M) and BJP workers, before and after the hartal called by the BJP to protest Rajesh’s killing have heightened tensions in the state. It is heartening that after a meeting between leaders of the CPI(M) and the BJP both sides have resolved to rein in their cadres, but the proof of the pudding would lie in its eating. The Kerala government has decided to call an all-party meet and also hold several district-level bilateral meetings between the CPI(M) and the BJP/RSS. That is a welcome move to defuse the situation. The police must also be held accountable for clashes and violence. Eschewing political interference to shield those who indulge in attacks would be a good way forward. The incidents of political violence have seen an increase of about 30 per cent over the last three years. At one stage some months ago a RSS leader in Madhya Pradesh had announced a Rs 1 crore bounty for Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan which was later withdrawn. Ironically, the chief minister’s constituency is the epicentre of anti-BJP activity.

The BJP is looking at converting its growing share in the popular vote in the State into seats but that, on current reckoning, seems a long haul. The party’s aggressive opposition to the left will evidently continue. The RSS is hard at the goal and since the CPI (M) is also a cadre-based party, occasional clashes may well be inevitable. But these must not go out of hand and the leadership of the CPI (M) and the BJP have a responsibility in ensuring that amid differences in approach, law and order is by and large maintained.