CPI (M) to launch nationwide protest on Oct. 9 against BJP's Janraksha Yatra

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI-M] on Wednesday said it will launch a nationwide protest on October 9 against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Janraksha Yatra.

BJP president Amit Shah launched the Janaraksha Yatra in Kerala's Kannur district on Tuesday to create awareness against "political killings" under the CPI-M ruled government in the state.

Addressing a press conference here, CPI-M General secretary Sitaram Yechury said "The entire cycle of violence was started by the Rashtriaya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on the day assembly election results were announced in Kerala last year. We will launch a nationwide protest against what RSS is doing in Kerala."

While talking about BJP's Janraksha Yatra, the CPI-M leader said, ''It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black."

Yechury's comments come in the wake of accusations made by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Earlier in the day, Adityanath who is on a Kerala visit, stated that violence under Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is increasing and an environment of Jihadi terrorism is prospering in the state.

CPI-M leader Brinda Karat responded to this charge by saying that "what baton is Yogi Adityanath to take? Their relay race is a race of violence, of terror, of intimidation, and of bulling because these are all encounter specialists".

She added that the UP CM should learn from the hospitals and health system in Kerala, in order to help the poor children of his own place, Gorakhpur.

"In this so called Yatra of Amit Shah, he thinks a lie told a thousand times will become the truth, but that is not going to be happen," Karat said.

"People of Kerala know that RSS is not a victim. It is the RSS and its goons who are responsible for disturbing communal harmony in Kerala, but the people have not allowed them to succeed," Karat added.