CPM Strongly Condemns Youth Congress Protests at Health Minister's Residence
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretariat issued a forceful condemnation on Saturday against what it described as violent protests organized by the Youth Congress at the official residence of Kerala Health Minister Veena George in Thiruvananthapuram.
Allegations of Inciting Riots and Property Damage
In an official statement, the CPM state secretariat accused Youth Congress workers of attempting to incite rioting under the guise of legitimate protests. The party asserted it could not remain passive while opposition forces disrupted public events involving the health minister, forcibly entered her residence, and caused damage to both property and police vehicles.
The CPM statement declared: "There is an ongoing attempt to incite riots across the state. For the past decade, Kerala has experienced governance focused on people's welfare and state development, marked by an absence of widespread public protests. Those who cannot tolerate this progress are deliberately trying to push Kerala toward unnecessary protests, violence, and riots."
Contrasting Protest Methods and Governance Record
The CPM emphasized that the government and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) have never adopted an intolerant stance toward democratic protests or dissent. While acknowledging that the LDF has also organized public demonstrations, the statement highlighted that these never involved personal attacks on ministers or placing wreaths at their homes.
The party further defended the LDF government's record, stating that no leniency has been shown toward isolated errors that have occurred. According to the statement, thorough investigations were conducted in each instance, with strict action taken against those responsible.
Defending Kerala's Health Sector Achievements
The CPM statement addressed concerns about the health sector, asserting: "The reality is that even the number of surgical errors calculated by the World Health Organization does not occur in Kerala. There is a deliberate effort to overshadow the significant achievements in the health sector and tarnish its image by focusing on certain isolated incidents."
Criticism of Media Role in Escalating Tensions
CPM also criticized a section of the media for allegedly promoting violence by exaggerating facts and spreading misinformation to incite riots. The secretariat statement urged: "They should withdraw from such misleading propaganda that disrupts the state. Everyone should cooperate to maintain the peaceful atmosphere in Kerala."
The statement concluded with a call for maintaining Kerala's tradition of peaceful governance and development, warning against forces attempting to destabilize the state through violent means.
