Congress had been keeping silence on the anti-Hindu remarks of Speaker AN Shamseer, for the past two days. NSS and various Hindu organizations conducted protests and discussions against the derogatory remarks made by Shamseer but the Congress kept mum. Congress were widely criticized for not responding to the sensitive issue. Now that their leaders came with explanation, their words seems to be in a no man’s land. While Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan did not completely reject Shamseer’s remark, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has criticized Shamseer for spewing insulting remarks against sensitive religious beliefs.
VD Satheesan said that Speaker AN Shamseer’s anti-Hindu remark is a controversy that should have been avoided and that Shamseer has given weapons to religious terrorists and paved way for communal violence. “Science should not be linked with faith. What is said in the religious books does not agree with the scientific truths. It didn’t need to be mentioned. It is better that Shamseer corrects his statement,” Satheesan said.
Satheesan said that the Congress has remained silent till now thinking that the problem would be solved. He said, “Shamseer’s statement was like giving weapons to the Sangh Parivar. Congress thought that the CPI(M) ruling the state would handle the issue carefully. But the CPI(M) tried to inflame the issue. CPI(M) also adopts the same method as the communalists.” Satheesan said that the approach of the Left was to pour oil to the fire. “Up until now, NSS was a social organization which did not allow the communalists get close to them. The organization has its own opinion on the matter and have the freedom to express it.”
On the other hand senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala responded strongly against AN Shamseer. He said, “The individual officiating the duties of the Speaker should not offend any religious sentiments. Congress was with the devotees during the Sabarimala agitation. Actions that hurt the sentiments of the believers should not be taken. Every religion’s myth and science are different. Such a remark should not have been made while sitting on the Speaker’s chair. The speaker should withdraw the remark. During Sabarimala, Congress had organized faith protection marches. It is the very same party that visited homes and explained the Sabarimala issue, is now throwing insults.”
“CPI(M) and BJP are trying to divide the people of Kerala. CPI(M) should control the speaker and try to correct his statement. Otherwise CPI(M) will have to face the situation as that of Sabarimala. In the matter of the ‘Single Person Law’ as well, the Congress is with the believers. CPI(M) should not try to create controversy. Believers are justified in holding onto their faith. Each religion encompasses its own set of beliefs, and there is no necessity for the speaker to doubt or challenge those beliefs. It is clear to all that the speaker criticized Lord Ganapathi,” Chennithala said.
A person sitting in the position of Speaker should not make unnecessary moves. Unknowingly, Shamseer has given the ammunition to BJP. Defense of faith is a declared agenda of Congress. The Congress initially did not intervene in the issue because it raised challenges to the point of breaking the peaceful atmosphere of Kerala. NSS has never taken a stand along with the Sangh Parivar. NSS has never allowed even a single BJP leader close to Perunna. For the people, their faith is important. Congress is with that faith community.
So far the Congress leaders are not taking a definite stand on the issue and has still neither demanded the resignation of the Speaker nor has demanded that AN Shamseer tender an apology to the Hindu community.
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