Shah says BJP stands by Ayyappa tradition

Kerala CM claims saffron agenda stands exposed

An "Emergency-like" situation prevails in Kerala with the state government "playing with fire" in quelling with "brutal force" protests by Ayyappa devotees over Sabarimala issue, BJP chief Amit Shah alleged Saturday, escalating his attack on the Left dispensation.

In a hard-hitting speech after inaugurating the BJP district office in politically sensitive Kannur, which has often seen clashes between BJP-RSS and CPI(M), Shah alleged that the communist government is "conspiring against temples" and came out in support of Ayyappa devotees, who have been protesting against the implementation of the Supreme Court decision to allow entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine

"An Emergency-like situation exists in Kerala," Shah alleged and accused the CPI(M)-led LDF government of "suppressing" the Ayyappa devotees' agitation.

Listing court verdicts which have not been implemented, including on 'Jallikattu' (traditional bull taming sport of Tamil Nadu) and prohibiting loudspeakers in mosques, Shah said "impractical" directions should not be given by courts and they should pass orders that can be implemented.

"You concentrate on developing the state rather than attacking the Ayyappa bhakts," the BJP president said and warned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that he would have to pay a "heavy price" if this continues, as BJP workers "would not hesitate to pull down the government".

"You concentrate on developing the state rather than attacking the Ayyappa bhakts," the BJP president said and warned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that he would have to pay a "heavy price" if this continues, BJP workers "will not hesitate to pull down the government" Hitting back at Shah, Vijayan reminded him that the state government was not at the mercy of the BJP. "This is a government elected by the people. Shah's speech gives the message that the electoral verdict will be sabotaged," Vijayan claimed in a statement

Hitting back at Shah, Vijayan reminded him that the state government was not at the mercy of the BJP.

"This is a government elected by the people. Shah's speech gives the message that the electoral verdict will be sabotaged," Vijayan claimed in a statement.

"All democratic-minded people should raise their voice against this," he said.

"His statement that the apex court should pronounce verdicts that are implementable is nothing but a challenge to the various rights that the Constitution guarantees," said Vijayan in a Facebook post.

Vijayan also claimed that Shah's speech was more against the Supreme court and the Constitution rather than against the state government.

Furthermore, Vijayan said the statement by Shah shows the agenda of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and Sangh Parivar.

Shah said even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had released various central projects for the state, none of them have been taken up.

"If the state government had shown the same interest in meeting the grievances of the flood-affected people as it had shown in taking on the Ayyappa devotees, I would have said they have fulfilled their responsibilities.

"But they have failed and the chief minister has no right to continue in office even for a minute," the Bharatiya Janata Party president said.

Shah said Hinduism has always given respect to women and worshipped them.

Gender equality cannot be ensured just by giving rights to them to offer prayers at temples, the BJP chief said.

"Even women in the state were against government's move to implement the SC order," he said.

Shah, who began and concluded his speech with 'Swamiya Saranam Ayyappa' mantra, cautioned the Left government that the clampdown on the agitation amounted to "playing with fire".

He said Hindu faith has never undermined women. "Hinduism has always stood for social reformation and against social evils like child marriage.

"But in the name of ending social evils, if the government here tries to interfere in the customs and traditions of Lord Ayyappa, BJP workers across the country would stand like a rock behind the devotees," he said.

Over 2,000 people, including BJP, RSS and Nair Service Society (NSS) workers have been arrested in a state-wide crackdown and many have been put behind bars on non-bailable offences, he claimed.