Hindu outfits against Kerala CM attending Feb 25 harmony rally; plan peaceful hartal

Mangalore Today News Network

 Mangaluru, Feb 20,2017 : The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrangdal have  said that they strongly opposed the proposed visit  of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to participate in a  communal harmony rally to be held in the city on February 25.

Speaking to reporters here on February 20, Monday, VHP Divisional Working President M B Puranik has urged the administration against permitting the Kerala CM to attend the programme and also to  disallow him from entering the district.

The opposition from the Hindu outfit  stems from the fact that  Pinarayi Vijayan’s Dharmadom constituency had witnessed as many as 13 political murders since 1969.

"A chief minister who has failed to maintain law and order in his very own state  should not be allowed to participate in communal harmony rallies  in other states. Inviting him here  is  only intended at promoting communal disharmony," he alleged.

Puranik also stated that the VHP and the Bajrangdal have called for a peaceful hartal on February 25 to oppose the Kerala CM’s participation in the programme.  He said a memorandum has already been submitted to the DC and that the organisation has even spoken to the Police Commissioner. He even claimed that several organisations are supporting the VHP and Bajrangdal in this regard.

Mangaluru District President of VHP Jagadish Shenava  alleged that the Kerala CM’s visit may lead to communal unrest and clarified that there will only be a peaceful hartal and not bundh on February 25.

Sharan Pumpwell, Bajrangdal leader, Bhujanga Kulal, Amit Kumar and others were present.