Thiruvananthapuram: For the Communist party, the high ideals of freedom of expression and liberalism only applies to regions where they do not have any influence. However, in Kerala where the party is holding on to its last bastion, the extreme violence and intolerance is highly visible against their opponents.
In a shocking incident at Kariavattom campus in Thiruvananthapuram, two persons were brutally beaten up by goons belonging to Students Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of CPI(M). Their only mistake was that they wore rakhi in the campus, which is dominated by communists.
Rajeev Sona, a professional artist of traditional percussion, was attending a program at the University’s cultural program at Kariavattom campus. He was on the team as the percussionist for the dance form ‘Ottan Thullal’.
However, before going on stage with his team, he was stopped by SFI goons who demanded that he untie his rakhi.
On refusing their demands, the artist was brutally assaulted by the culprits. He sustained injuries just above his eyes, face and posterior part of his body.
Although Rajeev was unable to perform on stage because of the injuries, he soon changed his mind on realizing that the student for whom he was supposed to perform would have lost a chance at the cultural program.
Despite his injuries the team went on to secure the first place in the competition.
Incidentally, a student belonging to ABVP was also thrashed at the same campus for the ‘crime’ of tying a rakhi. Suraj, who is doing his first year bachelors in Computer Science, had to undergo the inhuman treatment at the hands of SFI goons.
Suraj had come to attend the mime competition at the cultural program.
He was beaten up after asking if he was an ABVP activist. One of the attackers also broke his rakhi. Suraj is now undergoing treatment at a hospital.
Kariyavattom campus and University College in Thiruvananthapuram are strongholds of the SFI. They are highly intolerant and refuses any political work by opponents.
These incidents are a reminder about the real fascist nature of Communism when they gain power. World over it is seen that freedom of expression takes a backseat when the communist party is in the driving seat.
