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 succeeded in preventing communal clashes and preserving secular harmony in Kerala, even as several parts of the country grappled with deepening communal tensions.

He was speaking while inaugurating the valedictory meeting of the Kerala Yatra campaign organised by the Kerala Muslim Jamaat, held as part of the centenary celebrations of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, the largest organisation of traditional Islamic scholars in the State. The address assumed political significance as Kerala heads towards the next Assembly elections.

Mr. Vijayan said Kerala remained a peaceful haven for all communities not because communal elements were absent, but because the State government had consciously upheld secular values and resisted divisive designs. He also recalled past instances of communal violence, while stressing that several Left activists had laid down their lives while attempting to prevent such conflicts from escalating.

He alleged that across the country, particularly under the Centre and in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled States, the minority communities were being systematically portrayed as second-class citizens and pushed to the margins of society. “For Muslims and Christians alike, life is becoming increasingly difficult in the country. Communalism must be kept at bay without compromise. However, Kerala has presented an alternative model, with the government ensuring an inclusive and non-discriminatory functioning of statutory bodies such as the Haj committee, Minority Commission, and the Waqf Board,” he said.

Mr. Vijayan also said that the LDF government never resorted to appeasement for political gains and had always worked for the larger good of the State without compromising on secular principles. “While the government naturally stands with people and groups that uphold secular values, such individuals could face opposition and targeted campaigns by communal outfits seeking 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 V.D. Satheesan said the time had come to join hands to counter efforts aimed at creating social divides.

In what appeared a thinly veiled swipe at the Chief Minister, the Congress leader added that while it was easy to speak eloquently on secularism, one should never celebrate those who spread communal venom at the same time.

“Some speak about secularism publicly, prompt others to speak in communal undertones, and then present such individuals with ponnadas and other honours later. While it is fine to give people rides, we must be cautious about whom we let into our vehicles. We must be bold enough to uphold secular values, even if it costs us some votes. We might even lose elections, but we must never abandon our commitment to secular ideals. Double standards cannot be tolerated. Secularism cannot be compromised, even if we lose one or many elections,” he said.

Sunni leader Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar, who spearheaded the statewide campaign, emphasised that the convention should not be seen as a political platform. He clarified that neither the organisation nor the conference pursued any political objectives. He also warned that exploiting community sentiments for electoral gains could deeply wound society, and added that communal divisions not only harmed human lives but also hindered overall development.

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