CPI slams BJP, RSS on Sabarimala issue

The CPI Tuesday hit out at the BJP and the RSS over the Sabarimala issue, accusing them of launching a "war" against women and motherhood.

CPI national secretary D Raja slammed BJP chief Amit Shah's statement threatening to "pull down" the LDF government led by Pinarayi Vijayan over the issue.

Addressing reporters here, he alleged that while the BJP and other saffron units had charged the CPI (M) government in Kerala with having "launched a war against Hindus," it was the Sangh outfits that were actually targeting women in the guise of Ayyappa devotees.

He said it was the Supreme Court which had ruled in favour of entry of women of all age groups into the shrine and that it "is not a CPI (M) verdict".

"Boycott of women (at Sabarimala) has come to an end. The BJP, RSS and VHP are creating violence in the name of devotees. The BJP and the RSS have launched a war against women and motherhood," he alleged.

On Shah's recent remark that BJP workers "would not hesitate to pull down the government" if Ayyappa devotees were attacked, Raja asked whether the saffron party had the strength to do so in the state Assembly.

"Is this democratic," the Rajya Sabha MP asked.

In a hard-hitting speech after inaugurating the BJP district office in Kannur Saturday, Shah alleged the communist government was "conspiring against temples".

He also came out in support of Ayyappa devotees, who have been protesting against the implementation of the Supreme Court's decision to allow entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine.

"You concentrate on developing the state rather than attacking the Ayyappa bhakts," the BJP president had said and warned Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that he would have to pay a "heavy price" if this continues, as BJP workers "would not hesitate to pull down the government".

Hitting out at the BJP government at the Centre, Raja said parliamentary democracy and other institutions in the country were "under attack," and urged all secular forces to join hands against the government.

He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, and urged him to speak out on the matter. Raja demanded a probe by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

The Rs 58,000-crore Rafale fighter jet deal has been at the centre of a raging political row with Congress accusing the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government of wrongdoing. The government has rejected all allegations.

Referring to the political climate in Sri Lanka, Raja said newly sworn-in Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was president during the peak of hostilities in the island nation.

There were a number of allegations of war crimes against the army then, he said.

Tamils were "still struggling" for their rights, he said, and urged India to strive for their well-being.