THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V D Satheesan said on Wednesday the state government and CPM were not interested in taking proactive steps to avert communal tension. “Cooperation minister V N Vasavan, after calling on the Pala bishop, had declared that the controversies (stemmed of the bishop’s call against Narcotic Jihad) are a closed chapter. Why did the CM open that closed chapter?” Satheesan asked.
He said the CPM and CM were engaged in’foul play’. The simmering issue can be resolved in a day by holding a talk with the community leaders. “We want to know why the government is averse to a meeting. What step did the CM take towards resolving the issue? The CM has a stubborn stand on the issue,” he said.
Satheesan said the CM should clarify the reasons and circumstances that prompted him to repeat the reaction he made 10 days before the statement by Pala Bishop. “The opposition has taken an uncompromising stand towards communalism. We are not afraid of criticising anybody who makes communal statements. We don’t try to politically utilise such developments,” he said.
Satheesan claimed that the Congress-led opposition has created an atmosphere that is conducive to solving issues amicably. The government may utilise that atmosphere. He also appealed to other mainstream political organisations and media to handle the issue with due care.
Satheesan accused the government of not arresting people engrossed in spewing communal venom on social media platforms.
