Pinarayi Vijayan attributes Kerala’s prevailing secular harmony to efforts of LDF govt. during last decade

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday asserted that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has been successful in preventing communal clashes and maintaining secular harmony in Kerala, even as various parts of the country grapple with deepening communal tensions.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the farewell meeting of the Kerala Yatra campaign organized by the Kerala Muslim Community as part of the centenary celebrations of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the largest organization of traditional Islamic scholars in the state. This speech has assumed political significance as Kerala heads towards the next Assembly elections.

Mr. Vijayan said that Kerala remains a peaceful haven for all communities, not because of the absence of communal elements, but because the State government consciously promotes secular values ​​and resists divisive designs. He also recalled past incidents of communal violence, emphasizing that many Left activists sacrificed their lives trying to prevent such conflicts from escalating.

He alleged that across the country, especially in the Center and Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states, minority communities are systematically portrayed as second-class citizens and pushed to the margins of society. “Life is becoming increasingly difficult in the country for both Muslims and Christians. Communalism must be avoided without compromise. However, Kerala has offered an alternative model, with the government ensuring that statutory bodies such as the Hajj committee, Minority Commission and Waqf Board function in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner,” he said.

Mr. Vijayan also said that the LDF government has never resorted to compromise for political gains and has always worked for the greater interest of the State without compromising on secular principles. “While the government will naturally side with individuals and groups advocating secular values, such individuals may face opposition and targeted campaigns in which social groups attempt to mislead the public. Despite such attempts, communalism can never triumph in the long run. Secularism will prevail,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said that it is time to join hands against efforts aimed at creating social divisions.

In what appeared to be a thinly veiled swipe at the Prime Minister, the Congress leader added that while it may be easy to talk eloquently about secularism, those who also spread social poison should never be celebrated.

“Some speak publicly about secularism, encourage others to speak in a communal tone, and then attack such individuals ponnadas and other honors later. While it’s nice to give people rides, we have to be careful about who we let in our vehicles. We must be brave enough to defend secular values ​​even if it costs us some votes. We may even lose elections, but we must never give up our commitment to secular ideals. Double standards cannot be tolerated. “Even if we lose one or many elections, secularism cannot be compromised,” he said.

Sunni leader Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musliyar, who spearheaded the statewide campaign, emphasized that the congress should not be seen as a political platform. He explained that neither the organization nor the conference pursued any political goals. He also warned that exploiting public sentiments for electoral gains could deeply hurt the society, adding that social divisions not only harm human lives but also hinder overall development.

Karnataka Speaker UP Khader, MP Shashi Tharoor and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala were among those present.